Title: How to Foster a Growth Mindset in the Classroom | American University
Headings: How to Foster a Growth Mindset in the Classroom
How to Foster a Growth Mindset in the Classroom
What Is Growth Mindset?
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
Benefits of a Growth Mindset in Education
How to Foster a Growth Mindset in Students
10 Strategies for Fostering a Growth Mindset in the Classroom
How to Foster a Growth Mindset in Teachers and Administrators
Overcoming Challenges
Five Tips for Creating a Growth Mindset Teaching Culture
Providing Tools for a Lifetime of Learning
Recommended Readings

Content: The fixed or growth mindset exists on a spectrum, and even those positions can vary. A person may have a predominant growth mindset in one area—math, for example—but an especially challenging problem may trigger a response that’s more consistent with a fixed mindset. Dweck has described the growth mindset theory as a response to the self-esteem movement, which held that lavishing students with praise builds confidence that leads to improved achievement. Mindset researchers propose a different approach. Instead of giving students general praise or praising outcomes—an ineffective practice in Dweck’s view—teachers should focus on praising students’ efforts and the steps they take to overcome challenges and make progress. By doing so they reinforce the simple but powerful idea that ability can be improved. Benefits of a Growth Mindset in Education
Dweck’s early research demonstrated multiple potential benefits to encouraging a growth mindset in education. One of her studies showed that praising students’ efforts rather than their intelligence made them more likely to pursue more difficult challenges. Another study demonstrated the influence of simple mindset interventions. Her research showed that students who were taught about developing intelligence went on to perform better in school and exhibit more motivation in the classroom.