Mindset, By Dr. Carol Dweck In the groundbreaking book Mindset, Dr. Carol Dweck describes two kinds of Mindsets that exist: fixed mindset and growth mindset. In the simplest of definitions, a person with a fixed mindset has a never-ending need to appear smart to everyone else. He must prove himself over and over to be that smart person or else he feels insignificant. The qualities he has are already set and they make him better than everyone else. In virtually every situation, the fixed-mindset individual needs to get confirmation of his intelligence, personality or character. He is also quick to point a finger to place blame when plans to not work out accordingly. To the contrary, a person with a growth-mindset cannot seem to get enough of learning. He believes whatever natural talent he might have is just a jumping-off point to develop as a person and learn even more. A person’s basic qualities are the things that can be cultivated through effort. He has a passion for stretching himself, even if he meets discouragement and disappointment. Even these things are turned around and become positive starting points for improving one’s self.
As an educator, the mindset challenge is two-fold. First, it requires self-reflection: What kind of mindset do you have and how does that affect you as an educator? We need to be role models for the kind of behavior and attitude we expect from our students. Second, how can you teach students about mindset? How can you help them to not only evaluate their own mindset, but help them to develop more of a growth mindset? This book holds the first steps toward answering those questions. With the information learned and shared through discussion in our Galileo Cohort, we created a PowerPoint to use with students. This was shared with some of the 8th graders at the middle school and it seemed to have the effect on them we had hoped it would. They started to become more aware of their own attitudes about learning and they began to take ownership. They recognized the value of having a growth mindset and wanted to move in that direction. With guidance, many of them were successful. Learning is a life-long process. Having the right mindset, the growth mindset, can make this an exciting realization rather than an overwhelming one. This book provides the explanation and the tools to begin that process. In addition, there is plenty of opportunity for follow-up and further discussion available from Dr. Dweck on her website and through the Growth Mindset Digest available online and through email. It is a valuable resource worth exploring! |
Strengths Finder 2.0 By Tom RathHave you ever wondered whether your career choice fits with your own strengths? Everyone has talents, but some people don’t know what their talents are. We are most effective when we can employ our strengths in our daily work. Wouldn’t you like to be able to say, “What I like best” and “What I do best” are part of your daily work? Being able to answer these questions with a resounding "Yes!" has multiple rewards. It leads people to meaningful and purposeful careers, and creates satisfied, fulfilled and effective individuals. Tom Rath has created a valuable resource to aide individuals in recognizing their own assets in his book Strengths Finder 2.0 and the accompanying website. In this book, Rath incorporates and updates the work of Donald O. Clifton, known as the Father of Strengths Psychology. The accompanying website poses a series of questions that result in identifying person’s strengths. These strengths are presented as themes of talent in a report generated at the conclusion of the questions. There are a total of 34 themes, for which descriptions and ideas for action are included in the book. In the end, a reader will end up with an action-planning guide that highlights his or her top five themes and provides ideas to maximize these strengths in your daily work.
Great leaders know their own strengths and know how to draw on them to make themselves better. This activity was a great starting point for our Galileo Cohort as it helped each of us to identify our own strengths and connect with others who share those strengths. Together we were able to share and generate more ideas and activities to use in our positions as teacher leaders.
|
Teacher Downloads
Other Great SourcesPeople are flipping their classroom - why not flip your faculty meetings! http://www.techlearning.com/features/0039/all-play-and-no-work/53436
|