As I watched the video clip of Dr. Dweck, I was struck by the power of “not yet” instead of a failing grade. I believe this can be applied to everyone. In education we are driven to give letter grades. If the work product does not show mastery of the subject, a person who embraces a growth mindset would not give a failing grade, but give the work back to the student with feedback that would encourage the recipient to try again until they master the work. If instead, a failing grade is given, the recipient feels defeated and may move to a fixed mindset and shut down instead of having a growth mindset and realizing that the setback is an opportunity for growth and learning.
Growth mindset, the power of “yet”, is an integral part of advancing coding programs in my district. A shift in thinking needs to occur, both students and teachers must understand that when coding you are inevitably going to have setbacks. It is how you handle the setbacks that determines if the program will be a success. If a growth mindset is not embraced and a fixed mindset is applied, the learning stops because the students think that they will never get it right so why even try. However, by applying a growth mindset, learning continues as the students work to find a solution. The solution may be to go through the code line by line, have someone else look at it and give suggestions and sometimes you may even need to take a step back, look at the problem again and try a different approach. Persistence is the key.
In order to gain support for the coding movement, it is important for campus and district leaders to embrace a growth mindset. The leaders need to understand that the process of coding, including struggling, is as important as the final outcome. They also need to know that coding teaches critical thinking skills, persistence, problem solving, communication, math and creativity. Supporting the growth of a coding program will not only enhance the learning happening in other classes but will also help to reinforce a “yet” attitude.
Sandra Negro 