Mindset matters: Encouraging resilience in Year 10 boys through group learning

Research on growth mindset suggests that students’ beliefs about intelligence have a significant impact on their attainment. Students who believe intelligence and ability can develop are more likely to demonstrate resilience and take intellectual risks (Blackwell et al., 2007). Knowing that intelligence is dynamic can focus students on learning goals rather than performance goals, and failure is treated as information that more effort is needed, rather than something to be avoided (Dweck and Grant, 2003). Considering this, I designed a research project to encourage underachieving Year 10 students to learn about mindsets, resilience and neuroplasticity through completing a series of co-operative tasks and collaborating on a small group project. I hoped that by reducing each boy’s fear of failure, he would become more resilient, increasing his capacity to foster productive and meaningful relationships when working collaboratively. The intervention When designing group tasks, Lotan