Many instructors have observed variability in students’ motivation to learn and grow. How can we, as educators, enable engagement, persistence, and improved performance in the classroom? In other words, can we foster greater motivation?
Mindset science has uncovered actionable insights into the academic behaviors of students. What students believe about themselves and their capabilities tremendously influences their learning motivation. Beliefs are called mindsets when they filter how we make sense of the world and ourselves. Mindsets act on our choice of goals and goal-pursuit behaviors, which significantly affect our lives. As instructors, it is crucial to recognize that individual mindsets are not fixed—they are malleable and can be changed...