Overview
This lecture discusses the concept of the "power of yet," emphasizing the importance of a growth mindset in education and personal development.
The Power of "Yet"
- The grade "Not Yet" suggests students are on a learning journey rather than having failed.
- "Not Yet" helps students see challenges as opportunities for growth and future improvement.
- Emphasizes the power of framing setbacks as temporary rather than permanent.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
- Growth mindset: belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning.
- Fixed mindset: belief that intelligence is static and mistakes indicate lack of ability.
- Growth mindset students seek challenges and value learning from mistakes.
- Fixed mindset students may avoid challenges, cheat, or compare themselves to those who did worse.
Impact of Mindset on Learning and Behavior
- Brain studies show growth mindset students engage deeply with errors, while fixed mindset students disengage.
- Praise should focus on effort, strategies, focus, perseverance, and improvement—not innate intelligence or talent.
- Process praise makes students more resilient and persistent.
Fostering the Growth Mindset
- Educational games that reward effort and strategy promote more engagement and perseverance.
- Teaching students that the brain can grow with effort leads to improved academic outcomes.
- Students taught growth mindset show academic rebound, while others decline.
Equality and the Growth Mindset
- Growth mindset-based classrooms can significantly improve performance in underperforming groups.
- Examples include dramatic test score improvements in Harlem, the South Bronx, and Native American reservations.
- Transforming attitudes toward effort and difficulty leads to greater academic success and equality.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Growth Mindset — belief that abilities can be developed with effort and practice.
- Fixed Mindset — belief that intelligence and abilities are innate and unchangeable.
- Process Praise — praising effort, strategies, and perseverance rather than innate talent or intelligence.
- The Power of Yet — the idea that not succeeding now means success is possible with further effort.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Focus praise on students’ effort and strategies rather than intelligence.
- Teach students that effort and challenge create new brain connections.
- Aim to create learning environments that foster growth mindsets for all students.