Big Ideas

1
Big Ideas

• Changes in assessment practices can improve
  students lifelong motivation towards learning.
• Researchers in assessment have ideas that
  converge around central themes Carol Dwecks
  motivational research is a good example.

2
IS INTELLIGENCE FIXED

• In the fixed mindset, people
• believe their talents and abilities are fixed
  traits
• become over-concerned with proving their talents
  and abilities they feel the need to hide
  deficiencies
• think deficiencies and mistakes imply a
  (permanent) lack of talent or ability

• Research shows when people adopt the fixed
  mindset
• it can limit their success
• they will actually pass up important
  opportunities to learn and grow
• they will not risk unmasking weaknesses.
• (adapted from Carol Dwecks book Mindset The
  New Psychology of Success)

3
OR CAN IT GROW?

• In the growth mindset, people
• believe that their talents and abilities can be
  developed
• value passion, education, and persistence
• are not concerned about looking smart or grooming
  their image

• Research shows that when people adopt the growth
  mindset
• they are committed to learning and taking
  informed risks
• they surround themselves with people who will
  challenge them
• they look frankly at their deficiencies and seek
  to remedy them
• (adapted from Carol Dwecks book Mindset The
  New Psychology of Success)

4
IMPLICATIONS OF DWECKS IDEAS

• How does the Mindset theory relate to success
  in school?
• Brainstorm assessment researchers that you are
  aware of. How are their ideas supported by those
  of Carol Dweck?

5
Carol Dweck according to Carol Ann Tomlinson

• Differentiation supports a growth mindset.
• In differentiated instruction teachers group
  students by readiness, interest and learning
  style
• Consider the following quote from a high school
  student in Vermont
• I really like DI classes because I can do (the
  work). It doesnt make me feel smart or dumb, big
  or small it makes me feel important.

6
Carol Ann Tomlinson 2008 ASCD Conference
7
Carol Ann Tomlinson 2008 ASCD Conference
8
Carol Ann Tomlinson 2008 ASCD Conference
9
Relate this to Carol Dweck

• Discuss How could a differentiated classroom
  create/support a growth mindset for
• Students?
• Teachers?

10
Carol Dweck according to Dylan Wiliam

• Watch the videos from the Learning about Learning
  Website Scotland
• Autonomous Learners Creativity
  http//www.ltscotland.org.uk/learningaboutlearning
  /aboutlal/biogs/biogdylanwiliam.asp
• Summarize what Dylan believes about the
  importance of a growth mindset.

11
Carol Dweck according to Brian Boyd

• Watch the video from the Learning about Learning
  Website Scotland
• Creativity and Stickability Intelligence is Not
  Fixed
• http//www.ltscotland.org.uk/learningaboutlearning
  /aboutlal/biogs/biogbrianboyd.asp
• Summarize what Brian believes about the
  importance of a growth mindset.

12
Putting it all together

• What do you think
• Student motivation (Carol Dweck)
• Assessment in Differentiated Instruction
• Assessment for Learning
• How does this all fit together? What does it mean
  for schools and education?
• Create an organizer, statement, visual, etc. that
  captures your thinking.