Mindset is a book that I have heard constantly being referred to. Written originally in 2006 by Colombia professor Carol Dweck it has since reached to top of many best seller lists.
Mindset is an unusual book because it is at it's heart a psychology book, but it's core message is so clear and logical that it is quite at home in the self help section of a bookstore.
Dweck presents a very simple idea that there are two dominant mindsets that exist in people; fixed and growth. These mindsets boil down to the notion of whether you believe in inherent talent (e.g. fixed I.Q.) or developed skill.
Dweck's team of researchers were investigating the effects of praise on students when it came to challenge. Namely the type of praise (where it be of a talent or of a disposition). They found that children when praised for intelligence or brains would be more likely to quit than children praised for tenacity or determination.
Mindset is an important book for all educators. Schools by there inherent nature are about feedback and praise. Teachers are in a uniquely powerful position to empower (or hinder) the progress of students with our words. Dweck puts it "The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life. It can determine whether you become the person you want to be and whether you accomplish the things you value." (p. 6)
Mindsets can form from the smallest of things. There are ample well presented stories (many involving teachers) which Dweck uses well to illustrate the importance of cultivating mindsets. I found chapters on sports stars mindsets to be a powerful section - I recognised the sports stars better than the business illustrations. Mindset is written extremely well for a University Professor, at only 246 pages I finished it of in a day.
I felt before reading this book that I had a very good handle on the psychology of learning. But there were some basic errors I have been making - especially around praising students. For example "telling students they're smart, in the end made them feel dumber and act dumber, but claim they were smarter." (p. 74).
I would definitely recommend Mindset to all teachers from any curriculum area. For senior leaders Mindset has an excellent section illustrating the dangers of having a fixed mindset in management. A very good read indeed.
This post relates to RTC#8. "Demonstrate in practice their knowledge and understanding of how ākonga learn." and RTC#7. "Promote a collaborative, inclusive and supportive learning environment."
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