GROWTH MINDSET PLAN-reimagined
THE ORIGINAL
Creating a significant learning environment requires a space where learners feel comfortable enough to make mistakes. As a result, the environment is set up to allow students to remain positive when presented with challenges. Carol Dweck created the growth mindset to outline the importance of accepting failure as part of the learning process. With a growth mindset, rather than that of a fixed mindset, a person will develop a positive and productive outlook on life, using failures and obstacles as channels for improvement, growth and reflection.
In an educational setting, the use of a growth mindset is essential and impacts administrators, teachers and students in an ongoing way. For teachers, the modeling of a growth mindset has the potential to impact the students in a positive manner, by helping develop more receptive learners and collaborators.
​In my growth mindset plan, I outline what a growth mindset is and its importance, along with the necessities for achieving and modeling the growth mindset and additional resources for creating and implementing the growth mindset.
REIMAGINED
Utilizing my growth mindset required the cooperation of myself, the teacher whose class is used as a pilot, and the students. To begin, I had to realize that a growth mindset was more than just words, but it was action based, and needed to be modeled. This prompted me to spend time with the Instructor of my piloted course first, to ensure that we were on the same page regarding how to foster that environment with the classroom. It is important that the growth mindset be implemented properly in order for it to be effective.
Within the physical space of the classroom, students are arranged at tables that are conducive to individual or group work and surrounded by white board space on either side to allow for visual brainstorming and thinking. In addition to that initial classroom space, there is “flex space” nearby to practice pitches, spread out materials to prepare for presentations or to host live zoom sessions. The environment serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to recognize growth mindset moments where teachers can support students and help them change or develop their mindset.
My initial growth mindset sounded good, but I can honestly say that little was put into understanding how difficult putting it into practice can be. Consequently, I now realize that putting it into practice requires continuous work on my part and the instructors, as our contribution to the learning is to create a significant learning environment for our students. That environment essentially serves as a hindrance or an aid to that development.The teachable moments have been seeing students presented with frustration and failure and being able to help them overcome and confront those feelings and situations through a lens of learning and developing. In my own personal growth mindset development, I have seen myself grow significantly as I aspire to continue learning and growing and expressing myself with confidence. Growth mindset continues to help me find my voice.
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When creating significant learning environments, feedback and grades tend to be controversial factors. Highlighting the importance of a growth mindset helps students see the importance of LEARNING instead of grades and ACCEPT feedback as learning experiences rather than negative criticism. Additionally, growth mindset can also help develop grit, a term that can at times be misused, but is indicative of a lifelong trait of strength of character and perseverance, something that the growth mindset can simultaneously develop. In sum, significant learning environments create lifelong learners, and when the significant learning environment revolves around the growth mindset, learners recognize that lifelong learning is attainable.
