Slides for webinar: Mindsets and Motivation by Heather Van Fleet Session Description: Motivation is, without question, the most complex and challenging issue facing teachers today. (Scheidecker & Freeman 1999). Although said over a decade ago, this sentiment still remains true for many today. With that in mind, this session aims to examine the role and implications of mindsets in educational settings and will highlight strategies and opportunities to create learning environments that thrive, supporting both student motivation and achievement.

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Mindsets and Motivation
HEATHER VAN FLEET
Pre-Session Poll
Do you have …
no previous knowledge about mindset research?
some knowledge about mindset research?
a lot of knowledge about mindset research?

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Motivation Chat Box
What are some factors affecting
student motivation?
Scheidecker and Freeman (1999)
Motivation is, without question, the
most complex and challenging issue
facing teachers today.
Hands Up

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Mindset
a set of beliefs or way of thinking that
determines one’s behavior, outlook, and
attitude
Agree or Disagree Poll
• Your level of intelligence (IQ) is fixed and can’t change.
• If you work hard at something, you’ll get better at it.
• Talent is a natural ability that you’re born with or not.
• Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process.

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Carol Dweck
psychology.stanford.edu/cdweck
Higher IQ
Lower IQ
Two Mindsets
Growth
Mindset
Intelligence
and talent can
go up or
down.
Fixed
Mindset
Intelligence and
talent are fixed
at birth.

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If you agreed…
Your level of intelligence (IQ) is fixed and can’t change.
If you work hard at something, you’ll get better at it.
Talent is a natural ability that you’re born with or not.
Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process.
Fixed
Mindset
Intelligence and
talent are fixed
at birth.
Growth
Mindset
Intelligence
and talent
can go up or
down.
www.mindsetworks.com/webnav/drdweckinterviews.aspx

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Benefits of having a growth mindset Poll
A. Your focus is on learning and not on looking ‘smart’.
B. You believe in effort.
C. You see setbacks as a natural part of learning.
D. You avoid challenges and give up easily.
E. All of the above
F. A, B, and C
Mindset Behaviors
• Learning is the most important
• Embrace challenges
• Respond to failure by trying new strategies
• Think effort is positive and skills can grow
• Learn from criticism and feedback
• Feel inspired by the success of others
• Looking smart is the most important
• Avoid challenges
• Respond to failure by giving up
• Think effort is negative and skills are fixed
• Ignore useful criticism and feedback
• Feel threatened by the success of others

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Neuroplasticity
Neurons
Synapse

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Learning something new…
…can feel like crossing a ravine!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4np5wLAhWw

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Responses to Challenges or Failure
Fixed
Mindset
Decreased
Effort
Lower
Achievement
Growth
Mindset
Increased
Effort
Higher
Achievement
es.pinterest.com/pin/461900505506835081/

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Hands Up
JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images

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Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset
Where in your life and school do you have a
fixed mindset? A growth mindset? Chat Box
Avoid doing it
Give up easily when difficult
Think: I can’t do this!
Take on the challenge
Try a new strategy when difficult
Think: I can do it if work hard!
Effects of Teacher Praise
Praised for
intelligence
Goal: Looking
Smart
After Difficult Trial:
Low Confidence
and Motivation
Result:
Low
Achievement
and Performance
Praised for effort,
persistence, and
learning
Goal: Learning
After Difficult Trial:
High Confidence
and Motivation
Result:
High
Achievement and
Performance

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Promoting a growth mindset Poll
A. Learn about mindsets, including your own beliefs.
B. Teach students about the brain and neuroplasticity.
C. Teach students about growth and fixed mindsets.
D. Encourage risk taking and celebrate failure.
E. Value and encourage student effort and learning.
F. All of the above
Learn about mindsets and your beliefs
Do you really
believe that all
your students
can learn and be
successful?
usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com
How do you
respond to critical
feedback?

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Teach students about the brain
The one who does the work does the learning. Doyle (2008)
Teach students about mindsets
Research has repeatedly shown
that students who learn the
growth mindset demonstrate
both higher motivation and
achievement in school.
Fixed
Mindset
Intelligence
and talent are
fixed at birth.
Growth
Mindset
Intelligence
and talent can
go up or
down.

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Your words show your mindset
• This is too hard.
• I give up.
• It’s good enough.
• I made a mistake.
• I can’t understand English.
• I’ll never speak English as well as
she does.
• This is going to take some effort.
• I’ll use some strategies.
• Is this my best work?
• Mistakes help me improve.
• I’m going to train my brain.
• I’m going to learn what she does
and try it.
Change your words, change your mindset!
Celebrate taking risks and failure
I have gotten a lot of results! I
know several thousand things
that won’t work.
- Thomas Edison
Failure Learning

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Value and encourage effort and learning
You’re so smart! You
finished that so quickly!
Great effort! The feeling of
English being hard is you learning
and your brain growing.
You’re really good at
English!
I can see you’re trying really
hard. What other strategy
can you use?
Value and encourage effort and learning
http://www.upworthy.com/this-teacher-found-a-perfect-way-to-relieve-her-students-testing-fears?c=ufb2

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‘I will keep trying. I can’t do this yet!’
Listen for your fixed mindset voice. When you
hear yourself saying, ‘This is too hard. I can’t do
this!’
The Power of Yet!
YETInstead say:
Thank you!
References:
Briceño, E. (2012). The Power of Belief: Mindsets and Success. TEDxManhattanBeach: 18 November 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc.
Deak, J. (2010). Your Fantastic Elastic Brain. Belvedere, CA: Little Pickle Press.
Doyle, T. and Zakrajsek, T. (2013). The New Science of Learning. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing, LLC.
Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Ballantine Books.
Gerstein, J. (2014). How Educators Can Assist Learners in Developing a Growth Mindset. Retrieved Dec.
2014 from: https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2014/09/28/how-educators-can-assist-
learners-in-developing-a-growth-mindset/.
Mindset Works, Inc. (2008). The Science: The Growth Mindset. Retrieved December 2014 from
http://www.mindsetworks.com/webnav/whatismindset.aspx.
Pink, D. (2009). Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. New York, NY: Riverhead Books.
Ricci, M.C. (2013). Mindsets in the Classroom: Building a Culture of Success and Student Achievement in
Schools. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press Inc.

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Resources
Websites
mindsetkit.org
mindsetworks.org
plp.eleducation.org/culture-of-growth and
plp.eleducation.org/the-science-of-change
mindsetonline.com
Blogs and Articles
Jackie Gerstein: usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com
Larry Ferlazzo: larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2012/10/13/the-best-
resources-on-helping-our-students-develop-a-growth-mindset/
Carol Dweck: edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/09/23/carol-dweck-
revisits-the-growth-mindset.html
Eduardo Briceño: kqed.org/mindshift/2015/11/16/growth-
mindset-clearing-up-some-common-confusions/
edutopia.org/article/growth-mindset-resource
Videos
Growth Mindset interviews with Carol Dweck
https://www.mindsetworks.com/webnav/dr-dweck-interviews.aspx
The Human Body: BBC Documentary by Robert Winston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4np5wLAhWw (Clip)
The Power of Belief: TEDx talk by Eduardo Briceño
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc
Growth Mindsets for Students: Class Dojo Episode Series
https://classdojo.com/bigideas/#2zrtHt3bBmQ
Books
Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York:
Ballantine Books.
Ricci, M.C. (2013). Mindsets in the Classroom: Building a Culture of
Success and Student Achievement in Schools. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press Inc.
Deak, J. (2010). Your Fantastic Elastic Brain. Belvedere, CA: Little Pickle
Press.