Need to make a connection to a time in your life or someone you know to understand self-efficacy better and more relatable? Watch this TedTalk from Mamie Morrow, an educational coach, to make that connection as well as identify some look fors in students with low self efficacy and high self efficacy. Bandura’s four sources of self efficacy are discussed (experiencing success in small achievable steps, seeing others succeed, receiving specific encouragement, and lastly managing negative emotions).

This video and article discuss the self efficacy theory along with locus of control and self perception. These three ideas all go hand-in-hand and can be seen how one affects the other areas in building or not building a belief system around your own personal capabilities. Table 6.7.1 provides strategies to apply in the classroom and sample dialog to use with students in a way that builds self efficacy. Many of these ideas overlap with growth mindset principles around specific feedback, goal setting, and the connection between effort and improvement.

Wondering about self esteem compared to self efficacy? Check out this video from Michael McQueen to learn about different ways of praising students to build self efficacy (more powerful) than building self esteem, setting expectations, and modeling this mindset. McQueen references Carol Dweck’s growth mindset praise process and effort rather than product/ability that creates more of a fixed mindset.