Cultivate positive academic mindsets through instructional practices aligned with students' psychological needs¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The synthesis recommends that "Teachers can cultivate positive student mindsets—or change maladaptive mindsets—by engaging in instructional practices that align with students' psychological needs." Its enumerated practice list includes setting predictable norms and routines, sending clear messages about the role of mistakes, connecting new material to prior knowledge, helping students see themselves in the work, developing trust by listening, creating autonomy and choice plus collaborative learning, showing models of high-quality work, providing frequent specific feedback with opportunities to apply it, and ensuring fair grading practices that emphasize growth.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Practices must align with students' psychological and academic needs rather than attempting to convince students to feel differently about school.

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• K-12 students across pre-k through high school

Target Learning Goals¶

• Positive academic mindsets, engagement, and persistence in learning

Affordances¶

• Four Learning Mindsets Framework

Related Strategies¶

• Growth Mindset Feedback
• Growth Mindset Development
• Effort-Based Praise
• Develop perseverance indirectly by shaping classroom context, mindsets, and learning strategies rather than targeting grit directly

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Allensworth, E.M., Farrington, C.A., Gordon, M.F., Johnson, D.W., Klein, K., McDaniel, B., & Nagaoka, J. (2018). Supporting social, emotional, & academic development: Research implications for educators. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. https://consortium.uchicago.edu/page/presentations