It is within every student's potential to grow and improve

During my summer course sessions, we had the great opportunity to review the work of Carol Dweck and to listen to her talks which are based on the concept of a developing "growth mindset" - that is, having the belief that intelligence and ability can be developed through effort and practice. As opposed to hanging on to a "fixed mindset," which holds that intelligence and ability are static traits that cannot be changed, I was able to reflect and make key changes in my life to become a better version of myself. Dweck argues that adopting a growth mindset leads to greater motivation and success in life, allowing people to see setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than failures. I can attest to that argument. I also think that her message is important for all students, regardless of their age or level of achievement. It is within every student's potential to grow and improve, but it is up to the individual student to muster the belief in themselves and do the work required for those improvements.

There are many ways we can help our learners develop a growth mindset. One is by taking advantage of affordable, online programs that provide targeted feedback and allow for customization based on each student's needs. Another way is by starting with programs that enable students to learn at their own pace without feeling pressure from classmates or teachers. And finally, we can use programs that assess students where they stand versus forcing them to be assessed where some perfect student stands. Doing so has the potential to foster a sense of confidence and motivation when taking on new challenges allowing students to navigate their own path to learning.

Another tactic that educators can not overlook is taking the opportunity to give praise. Praise that emphasizes effort rather than intelligence or ability, such as "Great job trying hard on that assignment!" instead of "Wow, you're so smart/talented!" can go a long way! It sends the message that success comes from meaningful work ethic and perseverance rather than raw talent alone, which sometimes can be discouraging for those who are not gifted.

Dweck, C. (2014, December 17). The power of believing that you can improve. YouTube. Retrieved October 1, 2022, from https://youtu.be/_X0mgOOSpLU