Growth Mindset Inset Monday 13 th January

What problems do differences in Attitude to Learning present us with? Is this just another push to raise grades? Slows pace and interest of lessons Affects behaviour in lessons Increases stress for teachers, students and parents Increases workload (communications, paperwork, intervention, etc.) Reduces job satisfaction Affects self-confidence Affects health (physical and mental) Affects attendance Can lead to self-destructive or attention-seeking behaviour out of school Affects prospects later in life

Why do some people try harder than others? - Discuss as many answers as you can think of - For each answer, ask yourself ‘Why?’

Why do some people try harder than others? “Because some people are lazy.” This is a description of behaviour, not an explanation for it.

Why do some people try harder than others? “Because some people don’t care about doing well in some areas.” Given the choice, would anyone really choose to do badly in any exam? Isn’t this something we tell ourselves to protect our ego?

Why do some people try harder than others? “Because some people’s parents praised them for effort and criticised them for laziness.” OK, so we can reward effort when it is shown – but some students rarely give us the opportunity, or don’t respond to our praise. And if they try hard but don’t get praised one time, how will they react? Do they need praise to keep trying to improve at computer games?

Why do some people try harder than others? “Because some people don’t believe that their efforts will lead to improvement.” Is there evidence to support this belief? Are some people incapable of improving? Is ability in a particular subject innate and fixed?

Carol S. Dweck, Psychologist: ‘IQ tests can measure current skills, but nothing can measure someone's potential. It is impossible to tell what people are capable of in the future if they catch fire and apply themselves.’

The effect of praise on mindset

Success: Ability or Attitude? “Mr Edison, how did it feel to fail 2000 times to invent the light bulb?” “I never failed once. It was just a 2000-step process.”

So what do we mean by ‘fixed mindset’ and ‘growth mindset’? Carol Dweck’s RSA talk pt 1 Carol Dweck’s RSA talk pt 1

Believe that talents can be developed and great abilities can be built over time. Are fearful of making mistakes Think about how they learn Believe that talent alone creates success Well-behaved pupils Reluctant to take on challenges Resilient Prefer to stay in their comfort zone View mistakes as an opportunity to develop Believe that effort creates success Higher ability pupils Think it is important to ‘look’ smart in front of others Believe that talents and abilities are set in stone, you either have them or you don’t. Lower ability Pupils Hard working pupils

GrowthMind-Set Fixed Mind-Set Mind-Set

GrowthMind-SetFixed 9. View mistakes as an opportunity to develop 3. Think about how they learn 11. Higher ability pupils 15. Hard working pupils 10. Believe that effort creates success 7. Resilient 1. Believe that talents can be developed and great abilities can be built over time. 8. Prefer to stay in their comfort zone 2. Are fearful of making mistakes 13. Believe that talents and abilities are set in stone, you either have them or you don’t. 4. Believe that talent alone creates success 12. Think it is important to ‘look’ smart in front of others 6. Reluctant to take on challenges 14. Lower ability pupils 5. Well-behaved pupils

Mindset Quotes “I’m not going to stand here and tell you that failure is fun…but some failure in life is inevitable, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.” J.K.Rowling

So how can we change a student’s mindset, and how do we know it will make a difference? Carol Dweck’s RSA talk pt 2 Carol Dweck’s RSA talk pt 2

MY SON WAS A PRAISE JUNKIE

11sEn3a How do you feel if you get a mark that is lower than you expected? Grades mean nothing to me Learning is ok its not really bad just if I find something hard and a teacher tells me I can do it and I can’t I start being really rude.

It makes me want to try harder and be more determined. I feel like a failure. People have said to me I’m not going to do well in my exams and will see me in McDonalds working there.

I feel down and very depressed. I would be very gutted but I just get on with life. I give up.

What growth mindset phrases could you suggest to students to rephrase their fixed mindset phrases?

Growth mindsetFixed mindset I'm so stupid. I'm good at this. I just can’t do Maths. This is too hard. She / He’s so smart, I wish I was as smart. My answer is fine the way it is. Looking at examples / the mark scheme / feedback comments won’t make my work any better. I just want to know what level / grade I got.

Do SayDon't Say What am I missing?I'm so stupid. I seem to be on the right track.I'm good at this. I’m going to train my brain in Maths.I just can’t do Maths. This is going to take some time.This is too hard. I’m going to work out how he / she’s doing it. She / He’s so smart, I wish I was as smart. What can I do to improve?My answer is fine the way it is. That’s an interesting idea for improvement. How can I use that in my work? Looking at examples / the mark scheme / feedback comments won’t make my work any better. I just want to know what level / grade I got.

Mindset Quotes “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan

What do we currently do that reinforces a fixed mindset?

How could you change some of your teaching strategies to promote a growth mindset? What things do you do in the classroom that encourages a fixed mindset? What can you do differently?

Promotes a Growth Mind-SetPromotes a Fixed Mind-Set Praising pupils for being smart Formative comments that emphasise achievement Praising students for achievements that come easily Spending time documenting intelligence and ability Directing pupils to which tasks to complete Boosting self-esteem with incessant praise Placing importance on grades/levels rather than learning

Promotes a Growth Mind-SetPromotes a Fixed Mind-Set Praising effort and strategiesPraising pupils for being smart Formative comments that emphasise effort and application Formative comments that emphasise achievement Building robust self-confidence Praising students for achievements that come easily Spending time developing intelligence and ability Spending time documenting intelligence and ability Giving pupils a strong voice in the learning process and a sense of purpose Directing pupils as to which tasks to complete Providing constructive criticism Boosting self-esteem with incessant praise Place importance on learning rather than grades/levels Placing importance on grades/levels rather than learning

Resources All the materials from today’s session, along with lots of other articles and resources can be found in shared work: W:\Staff Shared Work\Staff Info\Mindset & Motivation Useful websites: Further reading: Dweck, C. S. (2006) Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (1 st edition). New York: Random House. Watkins, C. (2010) Learning, Performance and Improvement. Research Matters, vol. 34, pp

Post it! 1.What will you try to do to promote a growth mindset in your students? 2.What should the school do to promote a growth mindset in all students?