fbpx

Modeling Growth Mindset

When people say the country needs better schools, nine times out of ten they are referring to more competitive test scores or higher rates of high school graduation. And of course, those are two key indicators for successful schools around the globe. But policy makers often overlook many other essential criteria, in part because they are more difficult to quantify. In the fourteen years I’ve led schools, I’ve learned one of the most important indicators for success is the orientation adults have toward life-long learning, a quality that is particularly important when so many changes are required due to the current pandemic.

Researchers at Harvard University have recently studied the impact of what they call a “growth culture” on the productivity of various companies. Now, several of these researchers are applying the same principles to school environments. Harvard Graduate School of Education faculty Deb Helsing, Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey found that when teachers and administrators prioritize their own learning within schools, this orientation naturally rubs off on students with many positive results.

In healthy school environments where this frequently occurs, students are more likely to be curious and pursue new knowledge, develop original theories, and perhaps most importantly, continuously learn new content.  To foster an environment where life-long learning is modeled within the organization, Deb Helsing recommends structuring opportunities that challenge “fundamental assumptions you are making about yourself and the world, that’s when it’s going to be the most powerful”. To do this, adults need to be model learners who continuously share their experiences with students.  “Learning is really the engine here and it’s hard,” said Helsing. “You’re getting out to the edge of what you know, and you’re testing new ideas out, and making mistakes and learning from those mistakes.”

Helsing observed that this process helps learners work “right up against the edge of the unknown material” to help new mindsets surface. And though it requires continuous effort, when a growth culture takes hold and begins to transform the way everyone at the school relates to learning, it is well worth it, especially as we are continually adapting to the new normal of schooling during a pandemic.

  • Recent News

  • Archives