A quick look at growth mindset and how to embed it in your teaching

The optimal success rate for learning is high – possibly 80% – but not 100%. What does it mean? Successful learning stems from early success and applying effort to effective strategies. This requires a degree of motivation, which is supported by having a growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset. This helps students to experiment, take risks and regard setbacks as learning opportunities. Growth mindsets build around eventually finding success through effort, not constant failure or a false confidence through under-challenge. If success is too easy, students tend to set lower goals or apply less effort; if success is too hard to achieve, they tend to give up. The trick is to support students to find the right balance. Rosenshine suggest that an 80% success rate in some contexts is about optimal. The precise rate is not important – the main idea is that consolidation and success are essential elements in effective learning. What are the implications for teachers? If y