Growth Mindset

(picture obtained through a Pinterest search for #growthmindset, photo by Sylvia Duckworth and image can be retrieved here)

I had not previously heard about the Carol Dweck growth mindset paradigm, but learned about it through her Ted Talk, "The Power of Believing That You Can Improve", and another video "How to Help Every Child Fulfill Their Potential".  The whole point of an academic education is providing the tools for individuals to apply later on to be self-sustaining in a field they desire. A lot of the way education is structured loses sight of that larger purpose because it focuses on short-term goals (i.e. grades). Grades are used because it is a concrete way to view progress and knowledge. However, grades can be detrimental because they might not accurately reflect what they aim to measure (i.e. improvements throughout a course) and deter hopeful students. It is not simply the grades, but how the system is structured (grades are necessary for almost any entrance to post-secondary educational institutions). The quest for good grades can produce stress and low-self esteem, both which actually can deter students apart from not being good for one's mental health. Additionally, students might be more focused on obtaining good grades than the material, defeating its purpose.

Having a restructured perspective such as the growth mindset is not only helpful but essential to produce better qualified individuals in my opinion. More people would be focusing on developing qualities to be a better version of what they ultimately want to be.  It is not to say grades have no value, but that they should be used as a means to improve than a cut-off. I can see how this ideology could be focused more in academic learning such as a school-setting because that is where many "learn", but it can definitely be applied to other fields where learning is used. This is because ultimately, we want to ensure we are reaching our "large" end goal. Short-term goals can be helpful, but should not be so focused on. They should be used as tools for improvement.