Growth Mindset
What is a growth mindset and how do we get there? Who do we want to become and who do want our learners to become? This is the central question.
Here are some thoughts around learning experiences that show up thematically in my work as a higher education consultant and instructor:
#1 People need a learning environment in which they feel safe to make mistakes,
#2 Challenges and disruptions can be turned into an opportunity to bring about change,
#3 Deep learning occurs through meaningful reflection, dialogue, and collaborative interaction.
Learner’s Mindset Discussions (LMD) Growing a Growth Mindset Ep 20. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to develop or grow a growth mindset. If you are just advocating that learners believe in a growth mindset and then add action to their beliefs you may be promoting a noble lie. Research is clear; just promoting a growth mindset doesn’t change anything. If you want to grow a growth mindset you need to create a significant learning environment in which your learners have choice ownership and voice through authentic learning opportunities. The growth mindset is a philosophy that will actually be able to be nurtured in this growth oriented environment and culture.
Do YOU have a fixed or a growth mindset?
Short Notes from the Video
“Don’t just praise students on their learning; tie it back to the learning and progress” (Dweck, 2014).
Talents and abilities are not “fixed” but can be grown and developed. The brain can be developed like a muscle.
Help students find their zest for learning. A fixed environment sets us up to have a fixed mindset.
When deep learning occurs, grades and test scores are a simple by-product.
Growth Mindset Examples (I will be adding more throughout the week):
https://bretgosselineportfolio.weebly.com/growth-mindset.html or https://sway.office.com/LiyskytyvlYnVFfQ?ref=Link
https://growingmyclassroom.com/growth-mindset-plan/
https://chrispwoods.wixsite.com/turniton/post/the-growth-mindset
https://sites.baylor.edu/lowe–dll/2019/11/06/growth-mindset-plan/ (click on graphic)
Learning Manifesto
What is a learning manifesto? It’s pretty simple. What do you believe about learning?
What are the myths you once believed? What are the challenges you still have? What is your role as an educator?
Create a learning manifesto that articulates your belief systems and set of guiding principles as it relates to digital learning and leading in your field.
Instructions (Post the link to your Learning Manifesto (if you choose to do a video) or copy/paste your LM directly onto your site.)
1. Create a reflection (connection) that addresses your learning manifesto. Ask yourself what you are truly passionate about.
2. Identify what you think are emerging issues related to digital learning and leading at the state, regional, national, and/or global contexts.
3. What is right/wrong with education and what should the world do to enhance/fix it?
4. What are your core belief systems about digital learning and the impact you hope to make in your organization?
Your Learning Manifesto should connect to prior accomplishments or innovative practice in your area of expertise or classroom. For inspiration review Seth Godin’s Stop Stealing Dreams or watch a presentation by Sir Ken Robinson. Consider a Keynote (or other presentation tools) with voiceover, iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, a video diary entry, or an annotated blog page with links or embed materials from your previous or current work. The reflection should be a 1,000 word reflection or 5 minute audio/video combined.
Link to my Beliefs of Digital Learning: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=1539
Link to my colleague, Dr. Harapnuik’s beliefs, on Learning: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=95
Stop Stealing Dreams – Seth Godin @ TEDx Youth at BFS (16:57)
Published by: TEDx Youth Date: 10.16.2012
YouTube URL: https://youtu.be/sXpbONjV1Jc
Learning Manifesto Examples & Links:
https://youtu.be/0HZedKJDPzI
https://thinkingaboutlearning.org/learning-manifesto/
https://www.staceyclarkdllportfolio.com/my-manifesto.html
Learning Networks
Click on the link to access learning networks that students have joined in the past: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=550
You may add to this list by emailing Dr. Thibodeaux at tilisa.thibodeaux@lamar.edu
To Get to the Real Story, You Must Go to Primary Sources
ePortfolio
Introduction – Start Here
EPortfolios can and should be simple to understand and, more importantly, simple to create and maintain. Especially if we keep the academic and scholarly jargon down to a minimum and focus on what we need to know to effectively use ePortfolios to enhance learning. Yes, an eportfolio is a website, blog or other named digital resources or location where you can show others what you have learned, are currently learning, and hope to learn. The ePortfolio is completely YOURS and how you organize, structure, and present your learning will be dictated by YOU. This is a completely free service to you from the many website platforms you can choose from. Examples of platforms are: WordPress (most popular), Weebly, Wix, and Squarespace. These platforms walk you straight through setting up your domain name and selection of a template. From there, if you adopt an inquisitive mindset in which you start pushing buttons and building pages and writing blog posts, you are already on your way. For starters, you might want to build a static, top-level page for Coding, one for Projects, one for Learning, and one for Reflection, etc. You can build these pages out as you go documenting your learning along the way, but be sure to think of your audience as you are building out your site.
First, select a platform below (or find your own) to see which one best appeals to you. Consider storage space, size limitations, video/audio capacity, personalization, etc.
***If you have a website already set up with your district, you should create a new one that is for YOU. District website tend to be limited and blocked by firewalls, etc.Second, once you select a platform, click the ‘Getting Started’ button on the website and the eP platform will walk you through how to set up the link.
Third, when choosing a domain name, type your first name, middle initial, last name or just first and last name. Maybe you have a unique domain name you wish to use. Also, note that when choosing your domain name, you may have to try several options before you can select a free domain name that is available. Personalize this so you do not have a string of numbers behind your website address. www.classylearn.com is just one example of a personalized creative name. Be sure to choose the FREE for life $0 version. If you do not, you will be need to find the link that takes you to the FREE version (In word press, it is just above the paid for options.)
Then, choose a template or theme (same thing). For WordPress, you’ll have to navigate to the word Theme and choose a FREE theme. The other platforms will help you pick out a theme based on what you select as you are signing up. Remember that your eP will grow, just a skeletal shell is all we need at this time.
Have fun and start Building!
Note:
**Almost everything on the eP is customizable including templates, designs, pages, etc. Do not feel as though you are “locked in” once you have created your eP.
ePortfolio Link Examples:
http://www.technicallyalli.com/
https://sites.google.com/view/teachingblueprint/home?authuser=0
http://www.professorhung.com/
https://nancywtech.com/
http://jasonmkern.com/
Additional Examples: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=513
Digging Deeper
If you wish to dig down deeper into ePortfolios, you can follow the many links embedded within the following resources pages to get a more detailed understanding:
The Minimalist Fundamentals of ePortfolios
What is an ePortfolio?
Who Owns the ePortfolio?
Why Use an ePortfolio?
Example of ePortfolios
How to Create an ePortfolio
What do I put on my ePortfolio?
Choice, ownership and voice play a very significant role in the ePortfolio process. The COVA approach has four interrelated components:
- The freedom to choose (C) how they wish to organize, structure and present their experiences and evidences of learning.
- Ownership (O) over the entire ePortfolio process – including selection of projects and their portfolio tools.
- The opportunity to use their own voice (V) to revise and restructure their work and ideas.
- Authentic (A) learning opportunities that enable students to make a difference in their own learning environments.
Static (Stationary) Page Ideas, sub-pages are up to you
Coding (lessons, activities, camp)
Projects (challenge-based projects, apps, prototyping)
Learning (concepts of ed tech, creating significant learning environments, innovation plans)
Reflections (posts about your experience, ideas, etc.)
Blog (weekly posts about topics of interest)
Resources (learning networks, links for you and kids)
Examples of ePortfolios: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=513
COVA Resources
Link to COVA ebook: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7291
Link to COVA Framework: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=538
ePortfolio Common Questions (I will continually update this list as questions come in.)
1. Do I need to re-submit my link every time I add to my eP?
No, your link will automatically renew content as you publish/save your pages. If you do change eP platforms (example – Wix to Weebly), you will need to resubmit the link to the form above.
2. How should I set up my top level pages?
As always, it is YOUR choice. We want this to be authentic to you and your learning experience; therefore, how your navigational structure is constructed is up to you.
You will want to keep in mind that this should be easily navigable for you and your audience. As you continue to build many pages and projects, you’ll want to organize your eP in such a way that makes things very easy to find.
Static Page Ideas, sub-pages are up to you
Coding (lessons, activities, camp)
Projects (challenge-based projects, apps, prototyping)
Learning (concepts of ed tech, creating significant learning environments, innovation plans)
Reflections (posts about your experience, ideas, etc.)
Blog (weekly posts about topics of interest)
Resources (learning networks, links for you and kids)
3. Where can I find royalty free images to use on my website?
Visit Getty Images or Pexels.com, sign up for an account and search for royalty free images. There are collections of thousands of images taken by budding photographers. CITE any images that you borrow. You can create your own charts, tables, infographics, etc. in Canva if you wish.
4. What ePortfolio platform would you recommend?
The choice is yours. You can use WordPress, Weebly, Google sites, Wix, Squarespace, etc.
Briefly research the functionality vs. the limitations of these platforms.
For example, WordPress gives you control over your site and menu options. Other sites offer drag and drop features, like Weebly and Wix, if you want to grow your technology skills.
For now, be sure to select the FREE version; you should not incur any cost. Doing this will enable you to switch platforms should you so choose.
5. What types of things can we put on our ePortfolio?
This is yours; you can add anything you want! You get to design and organize how you wish to set up your website.
6. How do I pick a free domain name?
Many people choose their first and last name and sometimes with a middle initial so their website is easy to remember and find. If your name is common, you might insert a middle initial or string of numbers behind the name. If you choose to purchase your domain and serve space at some point, you will have much more control over both spaces.
