Growth versus fixed mindset

Alyson+Wisnionski%2C+freshman%2C+and+Jessica+Mueller%2C+freshman%2C+hand+write+their+notes+rather+than+using+their+iPads.+Studies+show+taking+longhand+notes+help+students+remember+the+content+more+than+if+they+use+their+laptops.

Alyson Wisnionski, freshman, and Jessica Mueller, freshman, hand write their notes rather than using their iPads. Studies show taking longhand notes help students remember the content more than if they use their laptops.

Students who are stuck in their ways may need to open their minds. Researchers say those who believe their intelligence or talents are fixed traits have a harder time knowing how to grow as students and people.

 

“I think it’s really important because the idea of growth mindset really shows students that their intelligence and how they’re performing in school is not intrinsic [something that comes naturally],” Shannon Eichwald, English teacher said. “It’s helping students to really think about, not only to motivate them, but what the actual steps are to take.”

 

Growth mindset is all about students being aware of how they approach day to day challenges. When you have a fixed mindset, you are not looking to get out of your comfort zone and not looking to approach challenges in new ways, Eichwald said.

 

After taking a Skillful Teacher class, Eichwald spreads the idea of growth versus fixed mindset throughout her classroom.

 

“The growth mindset can help in a lot of different ways because when a student is not doing well in a class, different aspects of the growth mindset can help bring the student’s grade up,” Alyson Wisnionski, freshman in Eichwald’s class, said.
Eichwald encourages her students to hand write their notes in the first semester rather than using the iPads, since it aids the student’s memory, she says.

 

Research backs up Eichwald’s suggestion. An April 2014 article by “Association for Psychological Science found that students taking longhand notes did better with recall that those using laptops.

 

Wisnionski thinks, some of the students might switch to handwriting their notes if they could see the benefit in the first semester and stick with that for the second semester instead of going back on their iPads.

 

“Something really important for students to understand is that if they’re in a classroom or situation where they feel they aren’t understanding something, a growth mindset gives them the opportunity to say, ‘I might not be there yet but how do I get there?'” Eichwald said.