Stephanie Matook’s Updates

Update 3: Growth mindset vs. Fixed mindset

 

I researched a practice that relates a bit to math eduaction and neuroscience research since I am a math teacher and have seen how my lower performing struffgle with motivation. I found this research on the difference between teaching studetns to have a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset and how studnets can learn regardless of what their prior knowledge is. I liked this qote from the article which explains that no student is more limited than another. 

Exposing individuals to new learning experiences serves as a way of working or exercising the brain

I think it is so important for every teacher to really focus on teaching your students to have a growth mindset because I truly do believe that having a fixed mindset will limit what a student attempts to learn and what they believe they are capable of and that is definitely the hardest part is keeping students motivated and engaged in learning. 

My current school does a great job of fostering this type of learning and it is something that I am constantly working on. We don't track our students, so all students aren in the same classroom, but within each class we divide them into small groups and teach them material that they need to learn, but always allow them to move between groups depending on what topic we are learning and what they know how to do. Something I plan to focus on more this coming year is giving better praise for all students on their learning process and not just for right answers and also having them explain their reasoning more. 

I really liked that this article addresses the Standards for Mathematical Practice as these are really rooted in the growth mindset philosophy. These 8 standards are the foundation for my math classroom everyday and I strongly believe that these are the key to success if students can really reflect on them. They involve explaining work, persevering thorugh problems, and examining the work of others. All of these things are so helpful to developing a students ability and their growth as a math student. 

Article can be found here