Where do I go from here? I feel that the information and knowledge I have gained in this course has been invaluable. I have ventured into new territories with technology that I never would have tried before this class. I am starting to see myself become more confident with trying new tools to express my learning, such as using infographics and doing voice-overs with presentations. Honestly, I am timid when it comes to doing things like this because I am always worried what others will say, so sometimes I find myself steering away from certain challenges. I know that this is one of the characteristics of the Fixed Mindset that I need to work on (Dweck, C. 2016).
In this course we were given the task to develop a Growth Mindset Plan to utilize in our classrooms to help shift the way of thinking from a fixed mindset to a more growth mindset. By clicking on the link, it will bring you to my Growth Mindset Plan. Probably the most important thing I will be using and I also keep telling myself is the power of YET. When I watched Dweck’s video on this, it was like a light bulb going off. I had never really considered the power of this word. I really took it for granted. Now, I find myself saying it to myself when I am faced with a hard task. I also caught myself telling the new teacher that I am mentoring that she may not know everything “yet” but she will. Growth mindsets do not develop overnight and a person must continually work on transitioning from a fixed to a growth mindset daily (Dweck, C., 2016).
We must not be afraid to make mistakes. This is how we learn. I am teaching a new class this year that is bringing in inquiry-based learning and one of the biggest lessons that this program wants the students to learn is that it is alright to make mistakes and we, the teachers, are supposed to encourage these mistakes. Honestly, I am very excited about this. I have told my students in previous years that it is okay to not get the right answer the first time, it is okay to not get it the second time, the important thing is that you keep trying and not give up. I also live by this. I am not afraid of making mistakes, my dilemma is making them in front of my colleagues.
COVA, I feel, will help in the development of a growth mindset. COVA gives the person the choice to choose how they would like to present what they learned, instead of someone telling them how. I show this in action with my Learning Manifesto. I was really nervous doing this, but I had to talk down my fixed mindset and allow my growth mindset to shine. It gives the learner ownership in their work. I feel like my students do with this. I was pretty proud on how it actually turned out because it was my creation. COVA also gives the learner a voice in how they want to tell you about their learning and the authenticity of what they learned.
Another great discussion we had was in regards to our learning communities. Collaboration amongst any group is crucial. The internet has helped out in this in ways that were never thought imaginable. We must remember though to have a good balance of being a consumer and a contributor. I find myself in my learning communities to be mostly a consumer and I talked about allowing myself to be more of a contributor to these communities.
As I mentioned above, the lessons that I have learned in this class have been amazing. I was skeptical at first, because I was unsure of exactly how this was going to work. From kindergarten we have been taught one way, the teacher delivers instruction, and they tell us what to do and how to do it. Using the COVA model alongside with the growth mindset, the possibilities of learning are endless.
Reference
Dweck, C. (2016). Mindset: the new psychology of success. Ballantine Books.
TEDxTalks. (2014, September 12). The power of yet | Carol S dweck | TEDxNorrköping. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-swZaKN2Ic.
My Journey with Digital Learning and Leading 