We’ve had quite a few discussions at school about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, and I found these notes while tidying up for Christmas. In summary, someone displaying a fixed mindset believes that the skills they have in a particular domain are innate, or that they cannot be improved through effort. Conversely, when a person is displaying a growth mindset, they are working under the belief that work and effort can improve their skill in a domain. Anecdotally, people can have a fixed mindset for one domain, and a growth mindset for another domain, and their mindset within a domain can even switch from day to day.
On my scribbled notes, I found this table, relating mindset to Schlechty’s engagement framework.
| Fixed Mindset | Growth Mindset | ||||
| Level of Engagement | Rebellion | Retreatism | Ritual Compliance | Strategic Compliance | Engagement |
| Attention | Diverted | None | Low | High | High |
| Commitment | None | None | None | Low | High |
With my notes attached to this table, I have written that you can have a low commitment to your learning, yet still have a growth mindset, however an engaged student must display a growth mindset, by definition.
The development of a culture of a Growth Mindset, to me, could be a reasonable tool to move students from Ritual Compliance to Strategic Compliance and Engagement.
Cheers all, and have a great Christmas, as we all unwind and relax, and mentally recharge for a new school year in 2017.