Fixed Vs. Growth Mindset

I really liked this podcast because I can relate to it. It's always nice to appear smart because then you aren't judged and considered stupid. However appearing smart and being smart are two different things. This podcast focused on how students can improve their grades and become lifelong learners by changing their mindset. Instead of believing that everyone is given a certain level of intelligence and that there is no way to improve upon it, they should try to keep learning over time and not giving up when something does not click right away. In order to get out of the fixed mindset a student also has to be motivated. The narrator mentioned that some students attended a workshop about study skills while some others went to learn about the growth mindset. The study skills were great but the students showed little improvement because their thought process had not changed. I particularly liked how the students were told that babies are not laughed at when they mess something up while trying to learn. Instead they are encouraged to try again. The same courtesy should be extended to students.
The narrator talked about how the growth mindset can be advantageous to people besides students. Anyone who wants to be a truly good mentor should believe in continuous learning and that it is ok to mess something up now and again. That is merely part of the learning process. Also business people need the growth mindset because they have to believe that they can adapt to the changing world. Race car drivers are inevitably going to make mistakes during a race. If they are able to use them instead of dwelling on them they can often end up winning a race than seemed a lost cause.
I really believe in the growth mindset and I do my best to use it and to help others try to switch over to it. The idea that a person has a set threshold seems silly to me. Kids are able to pull their grades up all the time and to keep doing better. I would like my students to have a growth mindset and to not worry about looking stupid. They should use their mistakes to an advantage instead of getting hung up on them. I have trouble with math but I know that I can learn what I need to if I try hard enough and not focus on all the mistakes. They do not have to be viewed as a negative thing. If you can learn to be adaptable you can learn the growth mindset. Most kids are extremely adaptable and that is why I feel they can make the switch from a fixed mindset to a growth one. There are many teachers who could also benefit from the switch!