ABSTRACT
That's the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. As Carol Dweck explains, a fixed mindset assumes that the character, intelligence, and creative ability are static and cannot be changed. A growth mindset, on the other hand, adopts the perspective that the intelligence, creativity, and character can change and grow over time. A growth mindset is critical to a learning focused classroom. One need to ensure that students have a learning-oriented mindset. Another thing one can do to help students develop a growth mindset is to encourage them to focus on the process of learning, not just on the product. Related to the focus on process is the strategy of emphasizing mastery and learning rather than grades. Encouraging and reinforcing effort are particularly critical for those students who do not understand the importance of their own efforts. Learned helplessness is a process of conditioning in which students seek help from others even when they have mastered information.
