The Power of Yet – Blog Post #2

How does Carol Dweck’s concept of “growth mindset” help you to frame your thinking about learning and motivation?  How can you use this idea to help you be a successful learner both in the college environment and beyond?  How might you help the students you are working with to understand and embrace this principle?

Carol Dweck coined the phrase growth mindset to describe the learning process that includes and thrives on mistakes and failures. A growth mindset is not about getting the correct answer, but rather understanding that with every mistake or confusion, there is a possibility to learn and move one step closer to the answer. Dweck talks about growth mindset in conjunction with the phrase “not yet”. She describes a growth mindset as the idea that though you have not reached your full potential and power within learning, you still have skills and ideas that can be further developed.

The idea of a growth mindset is one that I wish I would have had when I was going through elementary school. My whole educational experience I struggled with math. Place value, multiplication tables, common denominators – you name it, I struggled. I was constantly bombarded with the same statements and ideas: “math just isn’t your thing” and “some people are better at math than others”. Those phrases, though meant to be harmless and small, stuck with me and still continue to travel with me now. I was never taught the power of yet. This phrase and idea coined by Deweck is one that can greatly be applied to my college educational experience. Learning is not a linear experience. Within learning something new lies failure and struggle, but these experiences are not permanent. By adding one simple word, an entire mindset can be changed. Challenges within the learning process can be disheartening but they don;t have to be. Motivation will also play a large part in my learning experience and growth mindset. I have often fallen victim to losing motivation when a problem gets challenging or when I receive a bad grade or criticizing comment. But by applying a growth mindset I can continue to persevere even when I do not get the feedback I want. The language I was taught growing up is still something I struggle with today, but college allows a fresh start. A new environment to pursue the challenge of accepting a growth mindset.

A growth mindset is also extremely important as a teacher. Encouraging and supporting our students is one of the most important aspects of the job. Just like I was when I was in elementary school, young children are easily impacted by the language we use; the language that we as educators use will become our student’s inner monologue. The language I use in my classroom will always be inclusive towards growth. Learning is about way more than just getting the correct answer, but rather exploring the process used to find the solution. Empathy and understanding play a large role in this process, as they allow for students to feel supported within their mistakes. It is so often that mistrials are described as the end of the road, but they are simple bumps along the way. With every bump, the final destination becomes a little bit closer. A growth mindset also helps to challenge the way students receive motivation as it pushes them to keep their motivation no matter the obstacles they may face along the way. Again, this helps them to build confidence within themselves and their abilities. Failure is expected along the way and nothing to be ashamed of. These challenges make us better students, better learners and better people. A growth mindset is a lifelong process that will allow students to flourish and thrive throughout their life.