Question of the Week #2

What are important skills (behaviors) and dispositions (mindsets) that you either learned about or at which you want to become even more skillful?

One thing that we have discussed at length in the past week was the theory of growth vs. fixed mindset. This is a theory that I had studied a fair amount in undergrad, specifically in my psychology of education class. In that course we talked fairly extensively about what parts of growth mindset work in practice, which don’t, and ways in which people incorrectly implement these practices. So, going into our readings and discussions I felt that I had a solid basis. 

However, in these discussions my peers brought up points that my professors had never mentioned and that, frankly, I myself had never thought of. From their thoughtful critiques of Carol Dweck’s examples and background knowledge of systematic barriers, my eyes were opened to a totally new perspective on a theory I thought I had fully grasped. 

In terms of behaviors that I would like to both implement and become more skillful in, the first trait that comes to mind is intentionality. 

Although I’m not sure if “intentionality” was a behavior or skill that was clearly discussed this week, I was struck by the way that the lessons we participated in were structured in such an intentional and specific way. The education team members who lead the activities clearly had a reason behind what they were doing, down to the smallest detail. When working with children I think that being intentional is incredibly important, especially in a setting where you are creating a lesson plan.