iTunes.stanford.edu produced a video podcast on a discussion of "Growth" vs "Fixed" Mindsets by Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology at Stanford. This podcast stresses the need for improvement in public education in order to teach both types of children, less we fail to measure up to other, more industrialized nations. The result being: 1)failing our children and 2) widening the gap between those who will succeed and those who will fail.
The concept "fixed" mindset refers to children who feel they have a certain fixed amount of intelligence. They try to impress others so as to hide their inadequacies, thus trying to always 'walk the walk', without being discovered. The other "growth" concept is the polar opposite. These children feel that their intelligence will continue to grow, therefore, they need to absorb as much as they can, as fast as they can.
I'm not sure that I agree in entirety with this theory. Interesting as it is, I don't feel we should try to attach a label our kids. I'm sure we could find many more reasons for this gap if we tried a little harder. That said, education should work on being more individualized and tailored to reach each student. It's our job to meet the needs and provide the opportunities for all of them: to grow, to expand their minds and become productive citizens in this world. Maybe it's the teacher's mindset we need to work on. . .
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Your are most likely correct, but there is the power of positive thinking!
ReplyDeleteI see your point here Kitty!
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