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Dr. Dweck’s research into growth mindset
changed education forever
Over 30 years ago, Carol Dweck and her colleagues became interested in students' attitudes about failure. They noticed that some students rebounded while other students seemed devastated by even the smallest setbacks. After studying the behavior of thousands of children, Dr. Dweck coined the terms fixed mindset and growth mindset to describe the underlying beliefs people have about learning and intelligence. When students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement.
Recent advances in neuroscience have shown us
that the brain is far more malleable than we ever
knew. Research on brain plasticity has shown how
connectivity between neurons can change with
experience. With practice, neural networks grow
new connections, strengthen existing ones, and
build insulation that speeds transmission of
impulses. These neuroscientific discoveries have
shown us that we can increase our neural growth
by the actions we take, such as using good
strategies, asking questions, practicing, and
following good nutrition and sleep habits. […]
So the researchers asked, “Can we change
mindsets? And if so, how?” This began a series of
interventions and studies that prove we can indeed
change a person’s mindset from fixed to growth,
and when we do, it leads to increased motivation
and achievement. For example, 7th graders who
were taught that intelligence is malleable and
shown how the brain grows with effort showed a
clear increase in math grades.
In addition to teaching kids about malleable
intelligence, researchers started noticing that
teacher practice has a big impact on student
mindset, and the feedback that teachers give their
students can either encourage a child to choose a
challenge and increase achievement or look for an
easy way out. For example, studies on different
kinds of praise have shown that telling children
they are smart encourages a fixed mindset,
whereas praising hard work and effort cultivates a
growth mindset. When students have a growth
mindset, they take on challenges and learn from
them, therefore increasing their abilities and
achievement. […].
Source: https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/.Access:02/12/2019)