“Growth vs. “Fixed” Minds – Stanford University Challenge

This video podcast “Growth” vs. “Fixed” Minds is a part of a Stanford University series. In this video podcast two different mindsets regarding learning were discussed. One was the “fixed” mindset and the other “growth” mindset. One group of students believed that their intelligence was based on a fixed trait and that no growth was involved in learning. These students worried about how smart they were and were they smart enough to complete a particular task. The other group of students believed that learning has to do with growth. They believed that learning is a process and were given the example of a baby. Babies must learn but in order to do that, they must grow also.

In the group of “fixed” mindset, students were given a set of study skills in order to complete certain learning tasks. However, the students’ grades ended up declining instead of improving because of the lack of motivation. The students that were in the “growth” mindset group excelled in their learning and their grades increased. They applied the concepts of learning comes through growth. When combined in class, teachers could actually tell which students came from which group. These learning concepts have not only been applied to students but also to race car drivers and people in the business world. People who have the mindset of learning comes through growth make better managers and race car drivers because they are not afraid to make mistakes and know how to overcome them.

I think that it is very important that teachers impress on their students that learning is a process. Students should not be afraid to make mistakes and teachers need to teach students how to overcome their mistakes when they are made. I want my students to be curious and motivated to learn new things. This comes through the “growth” mindset. I want them to always be yearning for more. This is also a good reminder for teachers also. Teachers need to realize that they also need to have a “growth” mindset. Learning never stops for anyone.