Monday, November 28, 2016

English. Ponder your potential.

This quote is inspired by a passage from Chapter 2 of Laura Ritchie's book, Fostering Self-Efficacy in Higher Education Students (2015). Ritchie is describing "an ideal learning situation where students consciously take responsibility for the processes of monitoring, reflecting, and eventually achieving their potential."


Ponder your potential.



(The image is from cheezburger.)

Sunday, November 27, 2016

English: Real learning takes work.

This blog post is one of several inspired by a Chris Hildrew blog post: Growth Mindset Misconceptions and Missteps.

Here are some more cats inspired by that same post!

Made with a Cheezburger cat:

Real learning takes work.


English: Sometimes, being wrong is the only way we can learn.


Sometimes, being wrong is the only way we can learn.


Today's growth cat was inspired by this wonderful blog post by Brian Koberlein, written from his perspective as a scientist: You are not stupid.


Although Brian does not mention growth mindset in particular, the labels "smart" and "stupid" are very much part of the fixed mindset, and he shows how dangerous they both are. Here are two quotes from the post:
“So what do you do for a living?” I always cringe a bit when that question comes up among strangers, because when I reveal that I’m an astrophysics professor the response is almost always the same. “Um…wow…. You must be really smart!” While it’s often intended as a compliment, it really isn’t. Smart didn’t allow me to become an astrophysicist. Hard work, dedication and the support of family and friends did. It’s also one of the most deeply divisive misconceptions about scientists that one can have: scientists are smarter than you.
One of the things I love about science is how deeply ennobling it is. Humans working together openly and honestly can do amazing things. We have developed a deep understanding of the universe around us. We didn’t gain that understanding by being stupid, but we have been wrong many times along the way. Being wrong isn’t stupid. Sometimes it’s the only way we can learn.
I was especially inspired by that last part! So, I made this image with cheezburger.



Saturday, November 26, 2016

The bigger the challenge, the more you stretch.

The quote comes from Carol Dweck's Mindset, and you can find more cats inspired by Carol Dweck here: Dweck Collection.


The bigger the challenge,
the more you stretch.


 Image made with Cheezburger.com

Friday, November 25, 2016

Study something new.

Follow your curiosity! One of my favorite aspects of growth mindset is that it encourages you to ask questions and find answers: don't just stick to what you know. Instead:

Study something new.
  


I made for this for the MemeGallery with cheezburger. I got the idea from this nifty graphic in the Farsley Farfield Primary School blog.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

English. Commit to a goal.

This quote is inspired by a passage from Chapter 2 of Laura Ritchie's book, Fostering Self-Efficacy in Higher Education Students (2015).

Ritchie writes:  "Committing to a goal is partly determined by self-efficacy, and the actions that follow are also sustained by these beleifs and lead to achievements, which are the basis for future judgments about self-efficacy."

Commit to a goal.


(The image is from cheezburger.)

Friday, November 4, 2016

English. Stay creative: have fun!

Today's cat was inspired by the "Stay Creative" graphic of Islam Abudaoud below. The image is from cheezburger. Here are some more Stay-Creative Cats.

Stay creative: have fun!



This great graphic is designed by Islam Abudaoud. You can see the full-size infographic here, and it's also been made into a Vimeo video!




Thursday, November 3, 2016

Embrace uncertainty: facts can be fluid.

Today's cat is inspired by a great article by Linda Flanagan at MindShift: How to Spark Curiosity in Children Through Embracing Uncertainty. Here is a quote from the article:
And teachers have additional challenges in presenting facts as fluid: appearing less than certain about their field of expertise can feel risky in a classroom of merciless teenagers. [...] “Students have to grow comfortable not just with the idea that failure is a part of innovation, but with the idea that confusion is, too,” Holmes writes.
"Holmes" is "Jamie Holmes, who has just written a book on the hidden benefits of uncertainty." — Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing.

Embrace uncertainty: 
facts can be fluid.


(cat image is by Rising Damp at Flickr)