1. CCCOnline Webinar
August 20, 2015
Audra Picket, Instructor, CCR 092
Audra.Pickett@cccs.edu
The Mindsets: Helping to
Transform Students’ Habits of
Mind

2. Objectives
Know the
difference
between the
Fixed and
Growth
Mindset
Identify
examples of
the Fixed and
Growth
Mindset
Apply strategies in the
online learning
environment that
foster the Growth
Mindset in our
students

3. What are the Mindsets?
The Mindsets were developed by
Stanford psychologist, Dr. Carol
Dweck. She happened upon this
phenomenon as she studied children
who were given a task to solve
puzzles of varying difficulty. Based on
her observations, she arrived at the
conclusion that there are two
mindsets: Fixed and Growth.

4. “Will I succeed or will I fail? Will I
look smart or dumb? Will I be
accepted or rejected?” (Dweck,
2006, p. 4).
The belief that human qualities are
fixed in stone and you must prove
yourself (Dweck, 2006, p. 6).
Either you’re smart, or you aren’t,
and failure means you aren’t
(Dweck, 2006, p. 4).
The Fixed Mindset

5. TheFixedMindset
What is sounds like coming from our students.
I’ve never been good at math (English, science,
history).
You can’t give me a ‘C’ because I’ve always been
an ‘A’ student.
This is too hard; I’d rather just drop/withdraw from
the course.
I mean, I failed the first exam so I might as well
give up.
I already know how to do this, so why do I have to
prove to you I can do it?

6. The Fixed Mindset
• Write it down…
• Can you think of other examples when
students in your courses displayed Fixed
Minded traits?
• Share one example with the group

7. The love of challenge, belief in
effort, resilience in the face of
setbacks lead to greater success
(Dweck, 2006, p. 12).
The belief that your qualities are
things you can cultivate through
effort (Dweck, 200, p. 6).
“Everyone can change and grow
through application and
experience(Dweck, 2006, p. 7).
The Growth Mindset

8. The Growth Mindset
I need to try harder.
What do you recommend I do to improve on my
next exam?
Although I’m disappointed I did not perform well
this time, I realize I’m still learning and will improve.
What is sounds like coming from our students.

9. The Growth Mindset
• Write it down…
• Can you think of other examples when
students in your courses displayed Growth
Minded traits?
• Share one example with the group

10. Identify Examples of the
Fixed and Growth Mindset

13. Using the Growth Mindset
“The great teachers believe in the growth of the intellect and
talent, and they are fascinated with the process of learning.”
– Carol Dweck

14. Establish on day one that you believe in each
student’s potential to learn.
Utilize this questionnaire to discover the
mindset of each student.
https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/T0pET
Db57d_LfA/intro-to-growth-mindset-6th-
grade-2-lessons
It’s in the way we
communicate to
our students.

15. » Introduce students to the growth
mindset and its potential to
transform their learning.
» Set high standards and a nurturing
atmosphere where mistakes are
seen as opportunities to grow.
» Explicitly tell them that you are part
of their learning journey and you
are not a judge of their talent.
» “Growth-minded teachers tell the
truth and then give them [students]
the tools to close the gap” (Dweck,
2006, p. 199).
Create a climate of safety

16. Incorporate activities throughout the semester
• Use the discussion thread as a tool to generate
conversations about challenges and successes with
the growth mindset.
• Post TED Talks for inspiration
• Incorporate a lesson that provides examples or asks
students to reflect on their mindset.
– History (examples of growth or fixed-minded people)
– Composition (authors who exhibit the growth mindset)
– Any science (researchers who are growth-minded)

17. Share it!
Can you think of more activities that you can use
in the online environment which foster the
growth mindset?

18. Resources
Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset: The new
psychology of success. New York: Random
House, Inc.
https://www.mindsetworks.com/websitemedia/
info/MindsetWorks-resources-and-actions.pdf