My main goal as an educator is to create learning environments and authentic learning experiences to produce better learners. In order to do this, I revisited the growth mindset plan that was developed in the first course of the DLL program.
If we, as educators, want our students to become authentic learners we need to promote a growth mindset. A growth mindset suggest that intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. I also reflected on the concept of “not yet” and how we need to incorporate this kind of vocabulary in our classroom. We must express to our students that just because you can’t do something now doesn’t mean you never will.
Creating a significant learning environment (CSLE) is an important step in promoting growth mindsets in our students. Since all students do not learn in the same ways, teachers need to present lessons in different ways. Blended learning (my innovation plan) is a way differentiated instruction can happen in order to promote a growth mindset. Blended learning allows for students to approach the learning from different avenues. It allows for student ownership.
An area of improvement for me is giving immediate feedback. Often times students do not receive feedback until its too late. Students who show signs of a growth mindset will welcome the feedback and be more willing to act on it. The feedback is what helps them to succeed. The feedback also eases the fear that stops students from trying because of failure.
Throughout this course we were able to explore the steps and processes necessary in order to create significant learning environments. I was able to develop my learning philosophy by researching the different learning theories. We then were introduced to Fink’s 3-column table along with the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) in order to design a plan that gives students an overview of the course they are taking. The next week we created the Understand by Design model which takes a closer look at the learning objectives and the activities performed in order to master the learning goals. Lastly, I was able to revisit my growth mindset plan and expand it by explaining how it will aide in creating a significant learning environment.
Resources
Thomas, Douglas, and John Seely. Brown. A New Culture of Learning: Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change. CreateSpace?, 2011.
Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by Design (expanded second ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Dweck, C. S. (2016). Mindset: the new psychology of success. New York: Ballantine Books
Educational Leadership 