Developing a Growth Mindset in students - Edify School Pune

Between two students, one with motivation to introspect and grow after a mistake and one who refuses to try an assignment because it ‘looks hard’, which one do you think is more likely to achieve academically?

Even without any considerable information, it is clear that the first student, the one with a growing mindset, is better equipped to keep striving for success.

What is a growth mindset?

Growth mindset is not about growth, it is about effort!

When people first learn about growth mindset, some think it means to believe that “you can succeed if you just try harder.” There’s more to it than that. For students to have a growth mindset, they should understand that trying harder, and trying new strategies, not only helps them succeed at the current task but also helps them succeed in future by strengthening their brain.

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Is growth mindset common among all students?

Carol Dweck, a lead researcher on the topic, states that as humans, we operate in both, a fixed and growth mindset.

In a fixed mindset, people believe that their basic qualities, like intelligence or talents, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talents instead of developing them. Fixed mindset also causes a common belief that talent alone brings success– without effort.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, brains and talent are just the basic points. This view creates a love for learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.

How does Edify develop a growing mindset in learners?

·        When fostering a growth mindset, it is necessary that educators acknowledge the process and effort a student is making rather than only acknowledging outcome and achievement. When teachers praise students for intelligence alone, students often respond by not taking chances in their learning, limiting their growth. On the other hand, when students take pride in their effort and hard work over outcomes, they are more willing to make mistakes, accept challenges, and grow as learners.

·        Educators at Edify use diverse teaching strategies, exposing students to different instructional methods and developing learning skills to handle diverse challenges.

·        Explaining the inherent benefits of overcoming obstacles can help students develop a growth mindset. We specifically teach about the effects on the brain when people push through their comfort zones to grasp difficult topics. The neurons form stronger connections, leading to improved intelligence over time.

By implementing simple activities and providing opportunities for students to develop the necessary skills required to meet challenges head-on, we can help students find confidence in their academic journey and create an environment that promotes growth mindset.