Growth Mindset: a short guide
We achieve the most when we admit to ourselves that mistakes are acceptable and we are willing to try something, even if it has a high risk of failure.
A growth mindset can be described as the incremental development of intelligence through hard work, perseverance, training and learning. The phrase was introduced by Professor Carol Dweck in her best-selling book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Dweck identified the difference between a Fixed (intelligence based solely on ability), and a Growth (as above) mindset. This theory has spread through the education system Internationally and was subject to further viral growth following her 2014 TED talk which has been seen over 6 million times.
TED Talk takeaways
- Praise wisely
- Encourage ‘not yet’ reward system
- Reward effort, not result
- Using ‘yet’ offers future reference and optimism for progression
Professor Dweck encourages the implementation and development of a growth mindset through feedback. Immediate formative marking can be used in the form of a ‘yet’ analysis statement; alongside an explanation. This promotes pupil self-regulation, allowing for mistakes to be used as valuable lessons; mistakes should be normalised. Pupils should take on challenges, and learn from them. Through an understanding of the principles, children are encouraged to take the lead in changing mindset.
Use in schools
There are numerous ways in which growth mindset can be encouraged and developed in the classroom. Encouraging mistakes, and learning from them, is an essential part of developing the growth mindset. Pupils could adopt the use of pens, versus pencils, to reinforce that it is acceptable to make mistakes. This method, through the crossing out of mistakes, offers visible tracking of errors for review. Inspiration is then borne of subsequent feedback. Both pupils, and teachers can then learn where pupils tend to go wrong which better informs progression.
We have summarised the most important fundamentals below:
- Use a ‘not yet’ formative assessment
- Offer feedback as soon as possible after ‘mistakes’
- Demonstrate how children can ‘grow their brain’
- Encourage ‘Find & Fix’ strategy as suggested in Mark. Plan. Teach. to encourage independent problem identification
Current research
As with any theory, Carol Dweck’s analysis has come under scrutiny. Many have concerns about the effects of individualising failure for example. Others question the theory that hard work and an awareness of the elasticity of the mind as a ‘muscle’ alone has a beneficial result on pupils.
Therefore, research is constantly being done in this field to back up or attempt to disprove Dweck’s theories. One of the most prominent studies is being carried out by the Education Endowment Foundation who will publish their findings in 2018. The study, being trialed in 100 UK primary schools, will test whether an understanding of the growth mindset will impact positively on pupils Sats results. Pupils will watch a video extolling the benefits of thinking in terms of learning from mistakes and using attainment to develop. “The videos feature actors playing Darwin, Einstein and Olympic athlete Wilma Rudolph, describing their achievements in ways that emphasise a growth mindset.”
Reading list
Below is a list of books, aimed at children, that encourage the development and understanding of the growth mindset.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes [link]
What Do You Do with an Idea? [link]
What Do You Do with a Problem? [link]
Beautiful OOPS [link]
The Dot [link]
Ish [link]
How to Catch a Star [link]
When Pigs Fly [link]
Rosie Revere, Engineer [link]
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole [link]
Growth Mindset diagram
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