What is the difference between a fixed versus a growth mindset?
A fixed mindset is one that believes intelligence and talent are things we are born with and they do not change.
A growth mindset is one that believes you can increase your intelligence and develop talents.
Your mindset about how you view intelligence will have an impact on your teaching. Of the two views, a growth mindset is the more accurate way to view intelligence.
There is no denying that some students and people have natural abilities (in music, language, math, athletics, etc.). Still, research shows people can increase their IQs. Alfred Binet, the inventor of the IQ test, created the test to identify which students needed extra help–not to classify them with a fixed intellect!
Here are a couple differences that can affect your teaching (and personal thought life!):
You think your students are good or not good at a subject (fixed mindset).
You encourage your students to grow at each subject and emphasize the process of learning (growth mindset). The focus is on growth, and we all have the capability to grow!
