Growth Mindset

Personally, I never really realized how much one’s attitude about learning could actually impact the extent of learning. When I read about the work of Carol Dweck on Growth Mindset, I was blown away.  As an educational researcher, I know that it is very rare to find such a clear, reproducible impact of an educational intervention, especially such a small intervention. Dweck’s team showed that just by telling students “wow you must be really smart at this” or “wow you must have worked really hard at this” completely changed how students thought about learning and eventually what they were able to learn. Why would this be so? It turns out that if someone thinks they are “smart” they just want to continue appearing smart, which often involves avoiding challenges. However, if someone thinks that they can learn (or get “smarter”) with reasonable effort, they will be much more likely to tackle learning challenges head on. 

Dr. Dweck's work is consistent with other research on student motivation. It is essential that students can see the connection between their own efforts and growth of their understanding. As instructors (and parents!) we have an important role in helping students understand this relationship. This is how I often explain to my students (and my own children) about the growth mindset (borrowing heavily from Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development:

What you know now is like a small circle inside a much larger circle of what you want to eventually know. If you learn something new, your small circle grows larger. This can only happen when you try something (with help) that you can’t easily do already. If you only practice things that you can already do (inside your small circle), your circle can’t grow.  If you try to do something that is all the way at the edge of the big circle, you won’t learn, because it is too hard. However, if you try something challenging, just outside of your small circle, your circle will grow as you learn more!

I find this visualization can be helpful for senior undergraduate students and elementary age children. We all need to be encouraged and reminded that learning is a journey and challenges are opportunities!