Teaching a Growth Mindset - Carol Dweck

Name: Teaching a Growth Mindset - Carol Dweck
Uploaded: 2015-11-03T23:43:20.000Z
Duration: 28 min 30 s
Description: Carol Dweck, professor of psychology at Stanford University and a leading researcher in the field of motivation, examines the mindsets people use to understand themselves, guide their behavior and affect their achievement. Stanford University 125th Anniversary: http://125.stanford.edu Stanford University Department of Psychology: https://psychology.stanford.edu

Introduction to Learning and Development

The speaker introduces the concept of learning and development, emphasizing that we are born to learn and develop skills to have an impact on the world. They highlight how even at birth, we learn an incredible amount.

Importance of Mindset in Learning

Students can have different perspectives on their intelligence, talents, and abilities.

Fixed mindset: Believing that talents and abilities are fixed traits, leading to fear of learning and avoidance of challenges.

Growth mindset: Focusing on developing abilities, taking on challenges, being resilient in the face of setbacks, and learning more.

Study with 10th Graders in Chile

A study conducted with 160,000 10th graders in Chile showed that students with a growth mindset outperformed those with a fixed mindset at every level of family income.

Many poorer students with a growth mindset performed at the level of much richer students with a fixed mindset.

Teaching Growth Mindset

Research shows that teaching students a growth mindset can lead to positive outcomes.

In one study, students were taught both study skills and a growth mindset. Those who learned the growth mindset showed significant improvement in grades compared to those who only learned study skills.

Developing Growth Mindset in Students

The speaker discusses studies focused on developing a growth mindset in students for better academic performance.

Transitioning to Seventh Grade

A study was conducted with students transitioning to seventh grade.

Half of the students were taught useful study skills while the other half were taught a growth mindset along with those skills.

Students who learned the growth mindset showed a sharp rebound in their grades compared to those who only learned study skills.

Growth Mindset Modules for University Students

Growth mindset modules were developed for university students studying computer science.

Women who went through the modules felt a greater sense of belonging in computer science, performed better, and intended to continue studying it.

The growth mindset message also benefited male students.

Nationwide Study on Growth Mindset

The speaker discusses a nationwide study focused on delivering growth mindset modules to high school students across the country.

Nationwide Study

A nationwide study was launched to deliver growth mindset computer-based modules to high school students.

The goal is to understand for whom and when the program works best and tailor it accordingly.

The aim is to help more students become effective learners.

Brain Points Math Game

The speaker introduces a new kind of math game called "Brain Points" designed to promote sustained effort and progress in elementary school students.

Brain Points Math Game

In the typical math game, high achievers tend to enjoy playing while lower achievers may lose interest quickly.

In the Brain Points version, many more lower achievers stayed engaged and immersed themselves in learning because everyone can win at this game.

This kind of training changes the meaning of difficulty for students with a growth mindset.

Mindset's Impact on Learning

The speaker explains how mindset affects individuals' approach towards difficulty and learning.

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

In a fixed mindset, difficulty is seen as something negative that should be avoided.

In a growth mindset, encountering errors or difficulties is viewed as an opportunity for learning and improvement.

Creating Growth Mindset Environments

The speaker shares an example of creating a growth mindset environment in a whole community.

Native American Community Example

Stephanie Fryberg created a whole growth mindset environment in her native American community.

Teachers were trained to teach kids that their brains can grow and develop.

This approach aimed to foster a growth mindset among students.

Conclusion

The speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching and fostering a growth mindset in individuals, schools, and communities. They highlight the positive impact it can have on learning, academic performance, and overall development.

The Power of a Growth Mindset

This section discusses the impact of a growth mindset on students' academic performance and personal development.

The Transformation in a Growth Mindset School

A school on a reservation, which was traditionally at the bottom of the district, saw significant improvement after implementing a growth mindset environment.

Kindergarteners and first graders in this district went from being at the bottom to the top of the district within one to one-and-a-half years.

Older students (third through fifth graders) were gaining 1.5 to 2 years of progress per year.

This transformation highlights the potential for growth when students are exposed to a growth mindset environment.

The Influence of Growth Mindset in Companies

A study conducted on Fortune 500 companies revealed that employees could easily distinguish between growth mindset and fixed mindset companies.

In growth mindset companies, employees felt empowered to learn, innovate, and create.

Managers in these companies recognized more potential among their young workers for learning and advancement.

In contrast, fixed mindset companies focused on talent acquisition but did not see individuals blossom to the same extent over time.

Promoting Peace through a Growth Mindset

Research conducted in the Middle East showed that teaching Israelis and Palestinians about group growth mindsets fostered willingness to learn more about each other and consider compromises for peace.

Although this is just a small step towards resolving larger conflicts, it provides hope for initiating learning and understanding.

Learning Beyond School Walls

This section emphasizes that learning should extend beyond traditional classroom settings.

Continuous Learning in Today's World

Learning is no longer confined to schools or classrooms alone.

A recent study examined Fortune 500 companies and found that some organizations value everyone's development (growth mindset) while others focus solely on talent (fixed mindset).

The Paradox of Talent Development

This section explores the paradox between talent development and growth mindset.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset Companies

Growth mindset companies empower employees to learn, innovate, and create.

Managers in these companies recognize the potential for growth and advancement among their young workers.

In contrast, fixed mindset companies focus on identifying and grooming talent but often do not see individuals reach their full potential.

Fostering a Growth Mindset in Challenging Contexts

This section discusses efforts to promote a growth mindset in challenging contexts such as the Middle East.

Teaching a Growth Mindset about Groups

Research conducted in the Middle East showed that teaching Jewish Israelis and Palestinians about group growth mindsets fostered curiosity, understanding, and willingness to compromise for peace.

Although this is just the beginning of addressing larger conflicts, it provides hope for initiating learning and understanding.

Passing on a Growth Mindset

This section highlights challenges in passing on a growth mindset from adults to children.

Adults with a Growth Mindset

It was previously assumed that adults with a growth mindset would naturally pass it on to children.

However, research indicates that many adults with a growth mindset fail to transmit it effectively.

Challenges in Education Settings

Math teachers who claim to have a growth mindset may not effectively promote it unless they teach for conceptual understanding, provide feedback that deepens conceptual understanding, and allow students opportunities for revision.

Similarly, parents who endorse a growth mindset may hinder its development if they react anxiously or concernedly to their children's failures or difficulties.

Embracing Setbacks as Learning Opportunities

This section emphasizes the importance of embracing setbacks and failures as opportunities for growth.

Parental Influence on Growth Mindset

Many parents endorse a growth mindset but may unintentionally hinder its development by reacting anxiously or concernedly to their children's failures or difficulties.

However, when parents react with curiosity and view setbacks as platforms for learning, children are more likely to develop a growth mindset.

Conclusion

This section summarizes the main points discussed in the transcript.

The power of a growth mindset is evident in academic performance, personal development, and even peace-building efforts.

Learning should extend beyond traditional school settings.

Growth mindset companies empower employees and recognize their potential for growth.

Teaching a growth mindset about groups can foster understanding and compromise in challenging contexts.

Passing on a growth mindset from adults to children can be challenging but requires teaching for conceptual understanding and embracing setbacks as learning opportunities.