Why a growth mindset works doesn’t work works
Applied Digital Learning at Lamar is such a dynamic program. For example, it is quite metacognitive because it forces us to walk the talk as it models the skills we implement with our Innovation Project. However, because the ADL program forces us to use higher-order thinking skills, I’m not always sure where it is going. Take my journey with growth mindset thinking as an example. In our first meeting, Dr. H said that the growth mindset by itself doesn’t work. Those words stayed with me throughout the program, even in the class on creating a growth mindset implementation plan. I thought, “Why is he making us create a plan for this if it doesn’t work?” I was very uncomfortable throughout the course of 5302.
Follow my journey with the growth mindset:
Comfortable with the uncomfortable
This week we were tasked with reading two articles, one of which detailed the Ottawa Catholic School Board. In Case Study Report – Ottawa Catholic School Board (La Ferrière et al., 2016), the CEA shared “how the OCSB has transformed its classrooms into 21st-century environments that meet the needs of all learners.” Furthermore, the report detailed how “with the conversion of libraries to Learning Commons, increasing broadband, universal Wi-Fi availability and equitable Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policies, the OCSB has created a digital learning ecosystem focusing on collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking among” (La Ferrière et al., 2016).
Mindset shift
As I read this article and watched the accompanying video, Innovation That Sticks Case Study – OCSB (EdCan Network Le Réseau ÉdCan, 2016), I was struck by the fact that such a structural change was led by a mindset shift. A lot of teachers in the district talked about being comfortable with the uncomfortable (EdCan Network Le Réseau ÉdCan, 2016). For example, they detailed a shift in culture that encourages collaboration, risk-taking, and a growth mindset (EdCan Network Le Réseau ÉdCan, 2016). With this mindset shift, teachers felt more confident to take risks, move forward with their learning, and try innovative things with their students (EdCan Network Le Réseau ÉdCan, 2016). Students could feel this energy as well, as they were not only allowed but encouraged to fail and try again.
As I consider my plan for PL
“The driving force behind our Board’s success is the insight to lead with pedagogy and to support our pedagogical practices with technology. Our Board is able to leverage digital resources and technology with strong pedagogical alignment” (La Ferrière et al., 2016).
As I consider my professional learning plan, I know that one of my goals in my innovation proposal is to focus on improving digital processes. Therefore, my training focus will be to work with administrative assistants to develop their digital skills in transforming and innovating paperless workflows. This supports the framework described in Case Study Report – Ottawa Catholic School Board (La Ferrière et al., 2016) and is highlighted in the graphic below.
Framework for District-wide Level Change: 4 Pillars graphic
A culture shift, not a prescription
I am really starting to understand how the growth mindset fits into the big picture of ADL, creating structural change, and improving professional learning. The growth mindset is a culture shift, not a prescription. That is to say, you can’t just talk the talk of a growth mindset, you must walk the walk. Once we can get that culture shift all stakeholders might have comfort with failure and cognitive dissonance. With the right support in place, our teachers and staff will be open to the idea that the traditional model of “sage on the stage” is evolving and they will look to students as partners in learning (EdCan Network Le Réseau ÉdCan, 2016).
References
EdCan Network Le Réseau ÉdCan. (2016, May 19). Innovation That Sticks Case Study – OCSB: Risk Taking. YouTube. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAMcjUzdVnE
La Ferrière, L., Puentedura, R., & Fullan, M. (2016, May). Case Study Report – Ottawa Catholic School Board. EdCan Network. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.edcan.ca/wp-content/uploads/cea_ocsb_innovation_report.pdf