Carol Dweck’s research on mindsets has huge implications for schooling and education. Dr. Dweck has identified and defined two contrasting mindsets. A ‘fixed mindset’ is one where people believe their innate abilities are fixed, and they are unable to improve significantly with effort. Therefore those with the fixed mindset feel they must prove their abilities to be considered special. In contrast, a ‘growth mindset’ is one that believes that effort and hard work can contribute to the growth and improvement of abilities, and therefore those with the growth mindset feel motivated and empowered to learn and grow.
A growth minded approach should be considered when designing curriculum and lessons, assessing student progress, and providing praise. Students need to be actively taught about the growth mindset, to help them perceive education as an opportunity for growth and self-development and not a judgement on their ability. It needs to be made clear to students that with effort, training, the use of appropriate strategies, and the understanding that skills and intelligence can be developed, they can and will reach higher levels of achievement. Furthermore, it must be taught and modeled to students that failure is an important and natural part of the learning process, and not an indication of one’s ability, but instead an opportunity to reflect and grow.
“What any person in the world can learn, almost all persons can learn, if they are provided with the appropriate prior and current conditions of learning.” -Benjamin Bloom
Follow