Growth Mindset: Effort

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

As I close in on my final few posts in this class, I figured I would remind everybody that to accomplish anything some effort will be required.

Growth Mindset: Commit

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

I figured I would share this post because I am currently committing to the goal of finishing this class, and I want to inspire others to give that final little bit of effort. 

Growth Mindset: Tools are Essential

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

I thought that this was a great picture. Not only are physical tools necessary for somethings, keeping a complete mental toolbox is an important part of being a good student. Thanks for reading.

Growth Mindset: Dare to Fail

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

When I saw this post, I knew it would be what I write about this week. Whenever I'm considering whether or not I should "go the extra mile" or take a risk on an assignment, I can justify not doing it in case it does not pay off. In the future, I'm going to try and take more risks. Thanks for reading.

Growth Mindset: Learning is Messy

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

Learning is often a literally messy process for me. My desk is often covered in eraser shavings and pieces of paper. However, it is also a mentally messy process. I often learn in leaps and bounds as I have epiphanies, it is not a constant flow of information into my brain. Additionally, not all of that information is neatly organized when it makes it to my brain.

Growth Mindset: Don't Force It

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

There have been times in this class where I just want to complete an assignment to fill out the declaration on time - not because I am in a mood to read or write. I usually work on this class in big blocks, which helps me get into a rhythm. In the future, I think I am going to try and work on the class when I am really feeling like it, even if that means working in smaller chunks. I think this could make an improvement in my writing.

Growth Mindset: Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

The saying "Rome wasn't built in a day" is a quote that I need to keep in my mind more than I do. Sometimes I struggle with trying to do everything I want to do at once, and it keeps me from enjoying all of them. In the next few weeks I'm going to try and take things slower, and enjoy doing them ass opposed to just being happy that they are done.

Growth Mindset: Errors

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

Seeing this I was reminded about how many times I have discovered something very wrong about a problem on a test or homework assignment when I was fixing a smaller error. I've come to realize that I should always check even the smallest parts of my work, even when I'm confident they are right. By doing so, it helps me ensure the entire problem is correct.

Growth Mindset: Don't be Fooled by First Impressions

Courtesy of Laura Gibbs

Epics of India is my first all online class, not just in college but in my entire education. I really wasn't sure how I felt about taking an online class, but getting to have no scheduled classes on Fridays was an opportunity too good to pass up. What I am enjoying most about having an online class is that I can work at my own pace if I want to work ahead, but there are also deadlines to keep me focused on the class, and avoid having to do it all in one week at the end of the semester. 

I also wasn't sure how I would like a class that was mostly focused on writing. I have never been very comfortable with expressing myself through writing. So, throughout the first week I was having trouble really diving into the class. But, I can already feel my skills and confidence in my own writing improving. So, I guess it's true, don't be fooled by first impressions. 

The Growth Mindset

Image courtesy of the Joseph Campbell Website

I agree with what Carol Dweck is saying, that students need to be challenged. Learning is not a passive experience. However, I don't believe that simply changing the wording that teachers use (not yet instead of failing) is going to solve the problem. I think the only way for a person to fully commit themselves to a difficult task like education is a desire to do it. In my own experience, if I don't enjoy the subject material of a class or respect the teacher, I find it much harder to participate and do well in the class. A possible solution for this problem is placing more focus on the future of the students. As a middle school student, I didn't understand why algebra was important. I had no idea I would study engineering, or what use algebra has in every day life. Placing education within context is another place I think the American school system fails. This is why I agree with Joseph Campbell, the only way to get students to learn is to find an intrinsic motivation for them. This could be anything from money to a love of learning about a given subject material. But without a motivation, all a teacher is asking students to do is hit their head against the wall for reasons they don't understand.