Traditional Learning Doesn't Support a Growth Mindset

 

  Source: Growthmindsetmemes

         

           The growth mindset is something I have yet to master. I see myself towards that end of the spectrum of growth-fixed mindsets but not quite all the way there. This way of thinking is promoted by staying motivated and always trying to learn and develop. Professor Carol Dweck believes in making challenge the new comfort zone, instead of celebrating or feeling good when things are easy (Dweck). Although I can’t quite apply this approach to my own thinking yet, I’m constantly trying to learn and improve as I’m never comfortable where I am. 

Academics have always been fairly easy for me. The good grades come with being kind of a perfectionist, I work hard and try doing everything to the best of my abilities. It feels good to succeed in school and pushes me to put in effort, but the same thinking comes with a lot of stress and anxiety over big challenges. I don’t shy away from them, but the comfort level isn’t that of the ideal growing mindset I’m working towards. While this mentality has gotten me straight A’s, I’ve come to realize how little these checks represent actual learning. Focusing specifically on achieving high marks instead of trying to develop an understanding of a concept will only get you so far. In the article, “Teachers Going Gradeless” feedback is shown to impact improvement far more than any sort of test scores. Students respond better to learning when there isn’t an overemphasis on assessments. Gradeless learning has also shown several benefits as the focus is squarely on learning, avoiding the negative effects on student’s interests and thinking (Chiaravalli). Attention towards effort and personal progress is a much better alternative to standard grading. In the article interview of Todd Rose, “Standards, Grades And Tests Are Wildly Outdated, Argues 'End Of Average’” insight on how the multiple dimensions of students cannot be rated by a one-dimensional grade demonstrates how outdated our standardized system truly is. This issue is even present in higher education, as students are required to take many courses regardless of their interests or career choice. 

My personal goals for the semester are to write more effectively and work towards a better growth mindset. I often stress about papers as I think too much about what the right thing to say is. This way of thinking is conditioned from previous classes with a focus on meeting requirements and following specific rules to receive a good grade. Since this course is taught in a new manor, geared more towards individual development and learning, I’m looking forward to improving based on feedback.