Physics Education Research Seminar - Mindsets

by Prof. Verena Spatz

Friday 25 Aug 2017, 15:00 → 16:00 Europe/Zurich

3/R-002 - Teacher Training Room (CERN)

In recent years, the research of C. Dweck has shown that beliefs about intelligence are of great importance for learning. Two basic types are distinguished: Some people assume that intelligence and abilities are static givens, which cannot be enhanced in any meaningful way (fixed mindset). They seek affirmation of that inherent intelligence. Therefore they avoid challenges as not to risk failure and thus not to reveal inadequacies. Other people presume intelligence and abilities to be the results of the effort they put into challenging assignments (growth mindset). “When you enter a mindset, you enter a new world. In one world — the world of fixed traits — success is about proving you’re smart or talented. Validating yourself. In the other — the world of changing qualities — it’s about stretching yourself to learn something new. Developing yourself.” (C. Dweck, Mindset, The new psychology of success, New York 2007, Page 14)

Although there are many findings on the general concept of growth and fixed mindsets, it has not yet been applied to physics education. Therefore, an interview study has been conducted in Germany with middle school students and teachers who opined on the requirements to accomplish something in the field of physics. The evaluation has been carried out by means of qualitative content analysis.

In the seminar we will “enter a mindset” by presenting and interpreting some selected results of this study.

PER_Mindsets_Poster.pdf

PER_Mindsets_Slides.pdf