Pick one of the following prompts to respond to and then reply to someone else's post.
*Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
*How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
*Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
*Will Smith says, "Just decide who you're gonna be and the universe will get out of your way." Has that ever happened to you? Explain.
*Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
*Who would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful? Explain.
Prompt: How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteA person can change his or her mindset. A person with a fixed mindset have often been praised on their talent or skill or intelligence even though all of these are not technically quantifiable. So, a person can change his mindset if people around him were not constantly raising him, and offer constructive criticism. Success is not easily achievable, so don't give a person with a fixed mindset a reason to believe he or she is always successful. Those people with a growth mindset usually carry that on for the rest of their lives because of their passion and love of learning. A person can always change, but it is up to them if it's for the better or for the worst.
Kyle Sung Period 2
I think that you're right, although I do also wonder if someone with a fixed mindset would really even try to change their perspective. If a fixed mindset is, by definition - fixed, I find it hard to believe that people would go out of their way to change that. Or if they did try to change their mindset, I think it would be difficult for them since they've gone so long with their current mindset.
DeleteEven though one may have a fixed mindset, it is possible for a fixed mindset to be changed into a growing mindset. I agree that as long as one does not only get praised for their success but their efforts in the work they have done, they will be able to change their mindset. So, if a person with a fixed mindset is praised for their effort and hard work, they will push themselves to produce better work, and be more successful, producing a growing mindset.
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ReplyDeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think that there definitely is a correlation between cheating and a fixed mindset at Lynbrook because a lot of students believe that they have to get all A's, and if they don't, they're not "smart". Most students focus on getting the grade they want instead of trying to actually learn something; this makes them more susceptible to cheating because they tend not to care how they get the grade, they just want the A. There's a lot of pressure on students at Lynbrook to be smart, but not enough effort on them to try their hardest. Nobody ever says its okay to try and fail, which is a serious issue for student's self esteem.
I totally agree because the perceived mindset at Lynbrook is that the grade matters more than the learning. The grade is just a letter, while learning is something that is constant. We should always want to learn in order to grow as individuals. That is something we often forget in the Lynbrook environment.
DeleteReply to Shivani's post: Kyle Sung Period 2
I agree that Lynbrook students are about getting the A's in any way possible instead of learning. Cheating is the way around learning and the more pressure there is to get the good grades leads to more cheating. I think that if grades were not given or held at such a high value there would be much more learning.
DeleteI have to agree with the part about Lynbrook students wanting to get all A's to look smart. Cheating in Lynbrook is commonplace because students want to show off their "smartness" to colleges - as well as peers. Students that don't have good grades to "prove" their smart are often made fun of. Added with the fear of not being able to attend a "expected" good college, students resort to cheating for that A
DeleteI agree that there is a correlation between a fixed mindset and cheating at Lynbrook. The students feel a lot of pressure because everyone around them looks really smart. Getting good grades is almost everyone's first priority so some will do anything to get them. I think people often forget that learning the material and applying it to their life is more important than getting a good grade.
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ReplyDeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think the correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset on the Lynbrook campus is evident. Due to Lynbrook being in the midst of Silicon Valley's strive for academic prestige, we often forget that the point of school is the process of learning, and not necessarily the outcome of the best grade. The fixed mindset of Lynbrook, as well as the Silicon Valley, is to have the best numbers and grade letters and to take the most number of advanced placement or honors courses. When students fail to do such tasks, the pressure of this environment makes that student feel inferior and afraid to face the more valuable task, which is to learn and strive to improve. Instead, students facing such pressures will want to give into cheating to get the best result, and achieve this fixed mindset. In addition, due to this fixed mindset of having to be "super smart" and achieve the "academic prestige," students may take on more tasks and activities than they have the ability to make time for, which also leads to students cheating for the best short-term result (the grade,) rather than learning for the best long-term results.
While I agree with your point, I also think that there's another side to the cheating being correlated with the fixed mindset. For the people who don't do well at school, their fixed mindset leans more towards negativity and the thought that they can't succeed. In that way, they tend to not cheat. On the other hand, people who are considered smart tend to always have the pressure to do well. Therefore they cheat more when they feel like they can't achieve their desired goal.
DeleteWhile I definitely agree with you that the academic pressure at Lynbrook causes many students to cheat, I wouldn't necessarily say that academic pressure is the biggest reason or the prime suspect for why students cheat. Many people simply cheat because they feel like there's no reason for them not to, and do not really consider it morally wrong, even though it's against the rules and is not allowed at school. Regardless of whether someone cheats because their lack of moral character or they just felt like doing so, people have always cheated in school and they will always continue to do so. This is because it's part of human nature to cheat. The best one can do to avoid cheating and getting in trouble is to just follow the rules and to simply not cheat.
DeleteI agree with what you said, especially "academic pressure". Many people know that Lynbrook, the entire Silicon Valley, has a very "tangible", heavy presence of competition. The pressure from parents and peers force students to develop a mindset of out-performing one another. While some reach for success with morally good methods, the pressure may overwhelm some to the extreme, leaving cheating as the only option to remain as "smart" or "capable" as the rest of the class. Along with academic pressure, a fixed mindset is also to be blamed for those resorting to cheating. As a person who experience this first hand (victim?), you feel absolutely terrible after failing that one specific test and your parents scold you for the low score. To regain the praise of earning a achieving a good score, to satisfy the fixed mindset so to speak, activities that were distasteful in past, such as cheating, become appetizing.
DeleteI do agree. I think the pressure is a part of the why people cheat. I also think that people's mindsets plays a major part in it. For example, everybody deals with their pressure differently. If they believe in short term results they will side with cheating because it is the easy way out. The fixed mind sets makes cheating look a lot more appealing than studying for the grade. People are often comparing them to others and many cases it forces them to have fixed mindsets instead of growth mindsets.
DeleteBEATRICE <3
DeleteI agree with what you say, but I would love to offer another perspective to the situation. Personally, I also see students who have a fixed mindset of receiving high grades but not necessarily having the required work ethic to support high grades. Sometimes I see students cheat on tests because they know they won't be able to get a high score without cheating. I mean, if you really want to get good grades, than actually put in the work. But again, not saying this is the case for everyone, but it is case for a few individuals.
I agree with your points but also really like what Ken said. Not only does the fixed mindset of some students lead to cheating but sometimes it's just pure lack of work ethic. I think for a strong majority of our school, the pressure of doing well is evident but I didn't really think about the other perspective as Ken did.
DeletePrompt: How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteI feel like it's so easy to get caught up into having a fixed mindset after you've failed multiple times. From personal experience, I've felt that the environment really plays a role in changing one's mindset. For example, if one were really bad at math and failed at every single test, he would probably believe that he really wasn't cut out to be a mathematician. But if the parents were to force him to study more and he actually listened, the outcome can be drastically changed. When one sees the actual results of his tests improved, his mindset would eventually change over time too. In addition to external influences, the person also needs to have the motivation to not give up as well.
I agree! I think another way someone could change their mindset is if they received a lot of encouragement. Often people get stuck in a fixed mindset because of failures they've experienced, but if people received encouragement and praise despite failing, they may be more inclined to view the failure as another block they need to maneuver around and learn from instead of getting intimidated.
DeleteI completely agree. Encouragement is essential to bringing someone out of a fixed mindset. LIke you said, failing often can case people to question their abilities, but if they were given support and encouragement they could see their failure as a learning opportunity. It is important though that the encouragement is effort-based like "if you try really hard you will improve" and "you are capable". It is also important to encourage effort when someone does well too. When I taught at Breakthrough over the summer, our coaches advised us to write messages like "I would like to see this again" and ask "How did you study and what can you do next time?" instead of saying something like "Good job" and disregarding the process.
DeleteI agree with this opinion. In order to change a person's mindset, he/she needs to be motivated as well as break free from the closed environment. In other words, I think that one can also change his/her mindset by stepping out of the comfort zone. Many times, when we discover that there is more to this world than we think, many of our perspectives change. We no longer only think that life is about only grades as a way of success.
DeleteWhile I agree with what you're saying, I believe that parents need to encourage in the right way because, like the video said, well intentioned encouragement could lead to a fixed mindset instead of a growth one. I feel like if my parents forced me to do better in math, I would probably get worse at it because a growth mindset is all about wanting to learn and get better at a certain thing.
DeleteI agree with her response. Encouraging a person would change him from fixed to growth mindset. If a person won't get encouraged from others, he will stay as a fixed mindset.
Delete*How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteAnyone can change their mindset it just depends on the people around them. If someone is always called "smart" they will eventually stop growing and succeeding because that is the label people put on them. They are already seen as great and they don't need to prove anything more. Parents and peers should praise things other than talent so that people can have a growing mindset. If people already know they are great they won't strive to do better. If people are not told they are great all the time, they will always work harder to get to that better place. It is in human nature to be the best and compete. People can also change by wanting to prove someone with low expectations wrong. If they are though of as dumb they can prove them wrong by working harder and becoming really smart. If grades were not given to kids, maybe they would focus more on learning instead of I need to get A's all the time. If there was no comparing and competition their would be more of a growing mindset than a fixed mindset of "I need to be the best and get the highest scores but not actually learn anything."
I agree with your points. I think one of the most destructive things that prevents people from developing a growth mindset is comparisons with others. When students are compared to their peers, it creates a sense of competitiveness among the them. This competitiveness can often drive students to take drastic measures to preserve their image of "looking smart." Thus, it adds to their fixed mindset and they become too scared to take risks that may hurt their reputation.
DeleteThe point where you mentioned that changing a mindset is entirely dependent towards one's environment, I see your point, but I think that we should all try to better ourself regardless of the people we are surrounded by. In an utopia, we would only be around encouraging people. However, that is not the case in the real world. We meet and interact with all kinds of people, and perhaps it is finding the comfort in the discomfort, are we able to truly grow. We must learn to adapt and seek ways to optimize personal success with all environments.
DeleteAlthough I agree with you that a person's environment influences one's mindset, I believe that if one puts their mind and focus on changing one's mindset, they would be able to no matter the environment. One just has to be determined to learn new things and overcome the fear of failing and looking bad. If a person can do that, he or she will be able to change their mindset.
Delete*Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.*
ReplyDeleteThere was a time when I was a fixed mindset. I was living at Milpitas at the time and the schools there were not as advanced here. Everyday I would go to school, do nothing, attend easy classes, and go home with an easy B. There was no motivating factor to better. However, during middle school I moved to Cupertino / San Jose, I began to take more of a growth mindset. Influenced by the people around me, who seemed so smart and on top of things, I started to put forth effort into my education. I enjoy taking on challenges and overcoming them (one of the reasons I like programming) and value the learning experience that comes with such challenges. A growth mindset is also definitely more positive than a fixed one, and I've had many fun experiences with it.
I see what your saying about how having successful people around you doing cool things can make you want to succeed. I also like to take inspiration from those around me to try and find things that I could do. Having this king of growth mindset is difficult, but is much more positive than the fixed mindset way of seeing the world around you.
DeleteI can also relate to this! I went through middle school not really caring about grades and classes and stuff but once I got to Lynbrook everything was 10 times more intense so I realized I had to step up my game haha. I suppose I did have to adapt to have a growth mindset to take on a lot of tougher classes without getting discouraged so this is cool!
DeleteI feel that there is a large connection between having a fixed mindset and cheating at Lynbrook. People don't care about actually learning, just looking smart. There is this perception at school that some people are just smart, and that is why they get good grades and do well in classes. This puts a lot of pressure on those with the amazing grades to keep them, otherwise they are implied to not be smart. Also, it makes those who don't have the perfect grades that they think everyone else has feel like they can never succeed. This leads to cheating as people dont think they are smart enough to succeed on their own, whether they have the grades or not.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is the pressure of maintaining good grades and title of being smart. I think there is this pressure because people fear that grades that aren't up to par with those of the "smarter" students will lead to a bad future. I think this is a common misconception. People think that bad grades will lead to a "bad" university, leading to a lower-paying job, ultimately leading to a lesser quality of life.
DeleteI agree with you, I believe that there is a clear correlation between pressure on students and cheating at Lynbrook. Some people believe that your test scores determines whether you are smart or not and this leads people to cheat. Also, I think that parents put a lot of pressure on their child to succeed. Often times, parents see their child’s grades and only focus on the grade, not the actual learning process. So, students will cheat just to get the grade that will satisfy their parents.
DeleteI disagree. If people wanted to "look smart" then they would simply do the work. People cheat not to look smart, but to get the work off their backs
DeleteI believe that there is a strong connection between cheating at Lynbrook and having a fixed mindset. A lot of the students here are really high achievers and it sometimes can feel like everyone around you has stellar grades and test scores. This breeds a lot of competition among the students since everyone is trying to do as well academically as the people around them. When students feel pressured to be as smart as everyone else, they often develop a fixed mindset about learning and begin to think that high grades are one of the only ways that they can prove themselves and their intelligence to their peers. And when students feel a lot of pressure to get the highest grades, they sometimes become so stressed that they feel the need to cheat.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! I think that the environment we are in definitely has a big affect on our mindsets. I feel that students who are not up to par or at least think that they are dumber than everyone else, especially at Lynbrook, believe they will never be as smart as the higher achievers. It seems like they are forced to have a fixed mindset of not being as intelligent as the others because of all the competition in the school environment. As a result, many think the only option they have is to cheat in order to be classified as "intelligent" based on their grades.
DeleteI agree with the statement that grades are one of the only ways that students can prove themselves and their intelligence to their peers. I feel that when students ask others how many AP's or Honor's courses or how many A's or even asking about their GPA, they are basically just trying to find someone lower who doesn't have as many AP's or A's or has a lower GPA in order to assure themselves that they are better than someone else, to prove their intelligence to others.
DeletePrompt:Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteI think when Will Smith says that he's "motivated by fear", he is referring to the pressures and expectations from peers that many people experience as they grow up, which relates back to the concept of having a fixed mindset. Those who fear the idea of failure and making mistakes are less likely to succeed than those who welcome mistakes as an opportunity to learn from them and continue to grow. I think what he really means is that his fear to not meet his expectations he has put out for himself motivates him to try hard at whatever he's doing on a daily basis, because he has a growth mindset. The overall message being that if one wants something badly enough and if they work their hardest to achieve their goal, there is nothing that they cannot do if they put proper effort towards their growth to their goals.
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I totally agree with you, Erik.
DeleteI also believe that fear is the only thing that makes people hesitate, and that mistakes make people better; therefore people should not fear mistakes.
I also think that people's desire to achieve something should not compete their fear because what they can achieve is not worth stopping because of mistakes they might make.
-HwiJin Yeo
Prompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteWill Smith is "motivated by fear" meaning that his fear, is his motivation to improve on that aspect of his life. He is motivated to improve his life, so he will not live in fear.. Will Smith demonstrates having a growing mind set, revealing that facing your fears you are able to learn, and grow to be more successful in life. We can apply this to our lives by facing our fears. In Derek Sivers video, he explains a time in music school when he heard the best player in class playing some notes of a song, and making very small mistakes. That player was addressing his fears of making a small mistake while playing the song in front of a crowd, ultimately facing his fear, and becoming a more successful player.
I like how you mentioned the Derek Sivers video and how he heard the best player in the music school practicing short chunks to improve his weak points. As a trombone player, I also have weak points, and I strive to improve these areas during my practice.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a clear correlation between cheating at Lynbrook and the fixed mindset. Many students have grown up in households where family members place a tremendous amount of importance on grades, and a much smaller amount on whether the child is actually learning the material or not. Thus, they grow up with a skewed idea on what intelligence really is. When these students go to school, they focus more on getting good grades to prove to their parents and their peers that they are “smart.” They fail to acknowledge that someone’s intelligence and success are determined by a variety of factors, not only by their grades. By focusing more on obtaining the final product (the good grade), these students are also undermining the process of learning, which is far more valuable to them long term. It also motivates them to cheat, because they are searching for a way to maintain their GPA without putting in enough effort.
Prompt: Who would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful? Explain.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite basketball player, Kobe Bryant, who still plays today, is one of the greatest players of all time. Although being one of the few top high school prospects to enter the NBA would lead people to automatically assume his success was based on his god-given talent, that is certainly not the case. There is no doubt that he had talent, but had he relied on god-given talent and athleticism, he would not be where he is today. Rather, he is successful because of his incomparable work ethic. There are numerous stories from other players about how he is arguably one of the hardest working players ever. While he was still in high school, he went to practice at 5 AM and never left until 7 PM every day. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the men's basketball team held practices at 11, while Kobe was already in the gym at 5 AM. In his most infamous game, he took and missed three crucial shots late in the game, essentially giving his team the loss. In his recent documentary, he says how that moment never discouraged him but rather motivated him to get better. The day after that loss, he says he went to the team facility to practice shooting, and stayed in the gym all day.
Totally! Examples such as Kobe Bryant just continue to show us that everyone still has room to improve, even world-class athletes who are at the top of their game. They show us that it's important to keep a growth mindset and to tackle each day with one goal: to better yourself. It's only in that way that we can continue to improve and try to be the best people we can be.
DeleteI agree with you Richard. This is a perfect example of someone who has overcome failure and turned it into success. Athletes are some of the most hardworking people ever. They'll do whatever it takes to bounce back from failure. Whether it be countless hours of practice or pure dedication athletes show the world that improving yourself is something that takes hard work.If somethings easy for you then you're not pushing yourself. In order to become your best you must challenge yourself, that's what having a growth mindset is all about.
DeleteThis is a perfect example of a famous figure overcoming failure. Kobe Bryant's dedication and hardwork for the game proves that it will get you far. Despite Bryant's difficult defeat, his growth mindset is what allowed him to take that failure and turn it into success. Due to his determination, he now has five NBA championship rings to prove his success in his career. Bryant is a good inspiration for many young athletes to always seek improvement, and to never let a failure discourage you.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a strong correlation between cheating on the Lynbrook campus and having a fixed mindset. Lynbrook is a very academically accelerated environment causing a lot of pressure for students to be "smart" and keep up. This kind of pressure to be smart causes majority of students to care more about grades to maintain their prestige than actual learning. Students think that they are slipping up because they are not as "smart" as the other students but they still want to get the same good grade. Prioritizing the A rather then the effort to get there, makes them more vulnerable to cheating, because it seen seen as a means to get to their end goal. An environment that praises intelligence over effort like Lynbrook, fosters a fixed mindset.
I completely agree with you on everything you have talked about. Even when students receive a perfectly reasonable grade, they feel like they are slipping up because of the immense pressure here at Lynbrook. When all a student visions is the final A grade on their report card, they definitely will succumb to cheating to achieve it. I feel that students think the ends justify the means. Praising effort is absolutely necessary for students to realize that effort trumps intelligence and that it is possible to improve by working hard.
DeleteAs Will Smith once said, "Just decide who you're going to be and the universe will get out of your way," his profound words have proven true for many instances. If you actively choose to express and be true to yourself, there is nothing holding you back. The beauty within a positive mindset and approach to situations, is that you soon realize that the only thing/person holding you back, is yourself. Once you eradicate this fear and skepticism, are you able to grow as a person and face future challenges. Its a good thing to keep in mind that this fear cannot be fully erased within the course of days, weeks, or even months. Completely dependent upon the person, this could be a challenge that takes years. It is only through continuous efforts and a subconscious reminder, are we able to learn and prosper.
ReplyDeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteMany people live their life, worrying about where the next paycheck will come from, fearing that the risks that they are taking won't pay off in the long run. When Will Smith says that he is "motivated by fear", and also goes on to say that he "fears fear." What he says is that he doesn't want to be in a position where he feels inadequate. He either wants to be exactly where he dreams to be, or working at it, with 100% commitment and conviction. That way, he has his goals in front of him, will not stop until he achieves it, and therefore has no room for fear to creep in. A little spin off of something Smith said is something someone once told me, "You don't need a plan B, because when you have a plan B, plan A will never work".
I also think that Smith also means that people shouldn't fear failure. Everyone inevitably faces pitfalls and traps in life; that's just how it is. However, if you lead your life and experience life in fear of these failures, you can't learn from them. Smith is telling us to look at life with a growth mindset, and not to fear anything that happens in life, including failures, instead choosing to learn from each and every experience in life.
I agree and I think you brought up a view I haven't considered. People see risks and consider the negative outcomes that could potentially occur and take the safer route. However, those that observe the ones that take risks are never the ones that reap the benefits. It's important that people take risks or life becomes a stagnant silence instead of an arms race for greatness.
DeleteI had a little bit of trouble understanding why Will Smith is motivated by fear, but you helped clear that up for me. I think it's really admirable that Will Smith believes in going towards your dreams and goals with 100% dedication and will. The way you phrased that he never wants to feel inadequate and that by working, there's "no room for fear to creep in" really resonated with me. I think that fear causes many people to doubt themselves and their abilities. Will Smith has inspired me to be a go-getter and work towards something until I get there.
DeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteWhen Will Smith says he’s “motivated by fear,” I think that he is trying to say that people should embrace their fears and learn to grow and improve from them. Fear can either hold us back from new experiences or it can push us to challenge ourselves. Often times the fear of failure causes people to avoid trying something different. Once a person learns how to use their fear to motivate themselves and achieve their goals, they are able to seek even more success. In other words, a person must have a growth mindset to focus on improvement instead of failure. We can apply this idea to our lives when we challenge our own fears. Instead of being afraid of change and unfamiliar territory, we should direct our energy towards achieving our goals.
Yes, I totally agree! For example, I was making a very complex art project with a blueprint that I had drawn out and everything but for many months, I didn't go through with it because I didn't want to make a project that didn't work out. I'm a perfectionist with my projects. However, when I got into Mr. Akamichi's class, I learned a new way of thinking. There is no such thing as a "failed project". It's all an experiment. I finally decided to make the project and it turned out really well and so I was happy to learn the "Akamichi way of thinking" :D
DeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteI think people will never be inclined to do work unless they have something to be fearful of. However, this ideology can be interpreted in a constructive, growth-encouraging manner or a fixed manner. When faced with a challenge, people with the growth mindset will see it as a learning opportunity, regardless of the outcome. It becomes an experience to learn from and thus they become more capable as a person. However, in a fixed mindset, people become too prideful and fear risks that would potentially shadow their deceptive intelligence. When they stop themselves, they never learn anything new and the more outgoing people eventually pass the fixed mindset population's "innate intelligence". We can apply this to our lives by facing fears and changing our perspectives. Instead of seeing it as a chance to reveal weaknesses, one should view it as an opportunity to display an ability to adapt to changes and learn from it.
hi mel, I agree with you. You also brought up a side of motivation by fear which I didn't think of, as I was just considering from the phrasing of the question how fear motivates people to do better. It didn't occur to me at first that the question also asked how fear can be a motivation to do the opposite, as well. Facing fears is probably not the most appealing thing to do, but you worded it nicely as facing fears will help us learn and adapt.
DeleteWho would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful? Explain.
ReplyDeleteAs noted in the video, a famous figure that has overcome their failure to become successful is Thomas Edison. One of his most famous quotes says it all: "I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” He had hundreds, probably thousands of failed inventions, such as the noisy and impractical electric pen. However, he did not dwell on these failures and fuss over how much money he wasted on them. Instead, he considered them as fun experiments and moved on, going on to author or coauthor almost 1000 patents.
This reminds me of an essay prompt I had, is inventing the light-bulb after failing 10,000 times the same as creating a light-bulb on your first try? I believe that it's actually better to fail than to be lucky on your first try, because each failure actually teaches you something about how light-bulbs work; each version that doesn't work fails for a certain reason, and if you only knew how to make a light-bulb, and not the various ways you can't make a working light-bulb, your understanding of how light-bulbs work would be greatly lacking.
DeleteI believe that your example is fantastic. I feel like success stems from failures and that is why there are so many stories like Thomas Edison. I believe that Thomas Edison had a growth mindset and that is why he was able to create something so vital to our lives today. We must learn from Edison's example and not let failure stop us from trying to complete a task.
Delete@Ms.Ene I'm Vivian (Period 4) I just have a different username
ReplyDeletePrompt: "Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation."
I have always thought of myself as having both mindsets... My mindsets are based on my likes and dislikes. For example, I HATE math and science. For those 2 subjects, I will always have a fixed mindset. I try to do the bare minimum to pass the class so I don't have to take it again. I just think that the 2 are really boring. In a few more weeks, Government might fit in that category as well. My growth mindset comes to me naturally when I'm working on anything creative. It shows especially in art, like last year Mr. Akamichi said that it's going to be really challenging to make this one project and even he thought that it was going to be really challenging and he told me so. However, when someone says that making something is going to be challenging, I take that challenge and try my best to make it. I love creative challenges, be it art, 3d art, creative writing, or anything of the creative sort. However if you gave me a challenging calculus math problem and said that it's going to be really challenging for me, then I probably won't even try much. I guess you could say that my mindset changes with each class depending on what I like. There are times where i have both mindsets at the same time, such as when I wanted to make an animation trailer for my webcomic and drew every one of the 200 frames page by page and actually scanned it in and I was gonna outline it then color it but so far, I never got past the outlining part because I think what if it doesn't look the way I want to and I did it all for nothing, but then I also feel that I have already drawn and scanned the 200 pages and it should be fine. But as of now, I'm still in the outlining progress and hope to finish it either within this year or if I get lazy, the next. Does anyone else also have double mindsets? :)
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus?
ReplyDeleteYes, there definitely is a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset at Lynbrook. Like many others explain, Lynbrook's campus is a breeding ground for competition among other peers. Most students are brought up in families that greatly emphasize the importance of doing well in academic activities. Very similar to the video, students are praised for how smart they are, usually after achieving good grades on a course or test. This forces the students to develop a fixed mindset on how they achieve a grade. For most individuals, the good grade is easily gained, by simply studying and understanding the material they are learning. However, the people who need a bit of an unfair advantage to gain good scores usually resort to the second topic: cheating. By cheating, students understand that they may be able to still acquire the grade they desire, which in turn brings compliments from friends and family alike. The fixed mindset of the students who were constantly praised for their academic success will essentially do whatever it takes to keep the praise constant.
I agree that there's a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset here at Lynbrook. Students are too often praised for their intelligence and their success rather than for their work ethic or effort. As a result, in the face of challenge, students often resort to cheating as an escape from the academic pressure inculcated by parents, peers and teachers. I also agree that cheating teaches students that end goals and grades are possibly still achievable with hard work. In the end, the students work for praise rather than for growth, a problem that is very prevalent here at Lynbrook.
DeletePrompt: Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteI think my first year at Lynbrook really changed my mindset from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. At my old high school, I believed that some students were just more intelligent than others, and that the less intelligent were not as likely to succeed. I thought of myself as an average student and I wasn't very motivated to do better. I constantly felt pressured to blend in with my peers and to make sure I did as much work as everyone else. I felt bad because my grades were low in some classes but I gave up because I thought it was too hard. The smart kids in class made me feel bad about myself because everything looked so easy for them. They intimidated me instead of motivating me to work harder to get to the same level. But after coming to Lynbrook, I changed a lot because I had to adapt to a whole different environment. At Lynbrook, every single student seemed to be extremely motivated and hard working. I realized that I couldn't keep doubting my abilities. Stressing or worrying about not being able to be as smart as the other students would get me no where. In order to achieve my goals, I had to take on challenges and work really hard. With a growth mindset, I worried less about looking smart and focused more on improving myself.
I think it's interesting how Lynbrook made you more motivated to work harder! After reading through most responses, it appears that many have a negative opinion on the academic environment at Lynbrook - it's refreshing to see someone see it as something different.
DeleteI completely agree with you, Ji In! I entered Lynbrook as a freshman constantly being discouraged because it just felt like everyone else was so much more accomplished than I was. There would be days where I would be so sad and wonder why I can't accomplish what other people are doing, and I was so afraid that I would fail in life just because I am not one of the "smarter" kids. However, throughout the years at Lynbrook, I have become more motivated to work. I also agreed that stressing about not being as "capable" will not get me anywhere. In addition, I used the negative energy I have received from the academic environment at Lynbrook to motivate myself to prove people wrong. Each year throughout high school, I have worried less and less about conforming to the Lynbrook society and looking smart, and more motivated to strive for what I love to do, and for what I believe will make me successful.
DeleteI agree with Ji-in and Beatrice. People are often blinded by the fact that they must receive good grades, which in my opinion is different than earning good grades. Like many other people have mentioned, many students believe that the end result, good grades, justifies the means, cheating. However, what really matters is not that one looks smart, but that one actually learned something and that "something" may be used in the future. It is good that you focus on improving yourself rather than on appearances because when you leave high school, what you learned will stay, but your grades are only there temporarily. Letters do not make you successful, but knowledge does.
DeletePrompt: How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteAs shown in the TED talk, a simple sentence "Wow you must be very smart" or "Wow, you must have tried very hard" makes a big difference in one's mindset. The former would put the recipient in a fixed mindset, focused on how others see him or her while the latter praises the hard work. Not only does one have to set their mind to making an effort to learn instead of looking smart to change one's mindset, but the way others see them and praise them will influence one's mindset. If the people who are around a person sees him as smart, he will try to live up to that expectation and will not do anything to jeopardize it like taking a challenge where he will face the risk of failing. His reputation is on the line, so he most likely will not even attempt to do the challenge. Although a person's surroundings is very influential, if one puts their mind that they will do any challenge no matter what(even when they are most likely to fail) because they want the learning experience, they will be able to do it because they set their mind to it.
I agree with your point that, what others say makes a difference in one's mindset. The words that the other person has chosen and spoken can have an impact on the way they approach another problem or challenge. If a person sets their mind to anything they can achieve, but outside words can influence a person's actions.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe there is a strong correlation between cheating on the Lynbrook campus and the fixed mindset here. Lynbrook, being a very competitive environment, causes students to feel pressured to do well and receive top notch grades rather than pay attention to learning. Students constantly tell each other, "Wow, you're so smart!" However, when complimenting one on his/her intelligence, a fixed mindset rather than a growth mindset sets in. Due to this, students also feel pressured to live up to expectations of being smart, and forget about the process of learning. By earning a grade that does not receive a praise of being intelligent, students succumb to cheating so that they receive a great end result and live up to their peers' expectations. In the process, however, the student fails to learn from his/her mistakes and does not see how effort is more important than intelligence. "The ends justify the means" is a common mindset in Lynbrook, which causes one to obtain a fixed mindset as well.
I really agree with your point that when people compliment others' intelligence, they are exhibiting fixed mindsets instead of growth mindsets. In the videos that we watched, they explained how telling kids that they're smart (which is exactly what we do at Lynbrook) is what makes them give up more easily when presented with challenges. Since Lynbrook students are constantly being told that they're smart, it's obvious that they would give up easily and choose cheating when presented with a difficult problem.
DeleteI also believe that there is a correlation between cheating and the mindset most student have here on campus. Walking through the school, compliments relating to intelligence really can be heard. I think it's interesting how our attempts at kindness in fact assist in students using the wrong mindset. If instead, students spoke in ways promoting the growth mindset, I feel like Lynbrook's population would slowly stop giving in to the pressure of cheating to meet expectations of high grades.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI believe that there is a definite correlation between cheating and fixed mindsets at Lynbrook. Oftentimes, people who get good grades and do well in school are called smart, and others don't really recognize that they also worked hard to achieve their grades. This is evidence of a fixed mindset, because these people don't realize that it is possible to work hard and practice in order to improve in a class. It also allows them to label themselves as dumb since they don't have grades that are as a good as the "smart" people's grades. Once someone thinks they are dumb, they won't study for tests or work hard for projects to succeed; they'll just take the easy path and cheat.
Another aspect of cheating at Lynbrook is that the school is considered to be one of the best schools in the area where all the students are extremely smart. People think that everyone else is really smart, so they are even more afraid to look dumb in front of their peers. This focus on others' opinions may also cause people to cheat, especially when they fear that they will fail.
I agree with you nikhila. I also think that there is so much cheating at lynbrook because of the mindset that you have to get a 4.0 and you have to get into an ivy league college. There is so much peer pressure here, that students feel compelled to cheat just so they can keep up with everyone. Cheating is also corresponding with our parents pressure because our parents are very strict about school. They want us to go to the best schools in the nation, creating that pressure on the kid. In many circumstances, kids cheat in order to get good grades because of the stress their parents exert on them. If we dropped the mindset that everyone has to go to an ivy league college, than the cheating at lynbrook would drop significantly.
DeletePrompt: Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteI can't really pinpoint an exact moment that that this transformation started, but I do know when I finally realized it. In eighth grade, I didn't do well in science. It was a class of physics, chemistry and astronomy, and I struggled to understand the class. Whatever questions I asked were either ignored or answered incorrectly, leading to my continued confusion and failing of tests. Eventually I gave up trying to learn in that class and resigned myself to the fact that I didn't like physics or chemistry at all. Yet in sophomore year, I found in Chemistry H that I not only wasn't failing but that I really enjoyed the subject. I began the year strong and realized that the key to learning was understanding the concepts fully, starting from the basics, and to always have my questions answered. The joy of having that aha moment is completely worth it. It was in chem that I finally stopped caring about my grade or if I got a problem right or wrong; mistakes happen, but you'll still understand the concept behind the problem and not only how to solve it, but why the method for solving the problem works. That in itself, I believe, is more rewarding than a grade.
I think your story is really inspiring, and that sometimes I also need to re-evaluate the things I do. Last year I really thought that physics honors would be a hard class for me, and that I kept telling myself how I cannot do the problems even before I started working on them. But I started to understand the concepts better in the second semester and that I believed that I am actually capable of doing the problems, then my grade went up. I think that the moment you realized that chemistry is not that of a hard and boring topic for you, was when you are getting closer to success.
DeletePrompt: Who would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful? Explain.
ReplyDelete"I’ve learned that it doesn't matter how many times you failed. You only have to be right once." Mark Cuban, a multi-billionaire who had to earn what he has today through successes and failures. Mark worked as a carpet layer, milk seller, and waiter and realized he is bad at all of them, which then led him to the idea of creating a restaurant. Mark was a restaurant/bar owner and through determination and resilience was able to start multiple companies and be as successful as he is today. However, Mark experienced many failures in his business and rejections from VCs, Mark overcame his failures by staying positive and focusing on the quality of his work/product. When Mark started HD Net he experienced a lot of negativity from media, technical issues, system problems, and employee conflicts, Mark was able to successfully overcome all those problems and failures and be as successful as he is today. Now part of Shark Tank and owner of the basketball team, Dallas Mavericks, Mark is an example of how to overcome barriers and failures.
Prompt: How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteI believe that a person can change his or her mindset only if they experience something that disproves whatever they believe in. For example if someone keeps cheating because he thinks he's stupid, the only way to get that person to stop cheating if he has an experience which he works hard and does well on an exam. Why would someone change their mindset when there's no evidence that other ways work as well. This goes for most set mindsets, because if we can show people experiences that disprove their theories then only will they be able to change.
Prompt: Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteBefore I became a freshman, I had to decide which electives I wanted to take, just like everyone else in high school. Being an engineer, my dad suggested that I should take a Java programming class. At that time, all I knew about programming were codes, numbers, and symbols that I had never seen before and had no idea what they meant. I was worried and thought, "there is no way I'm going to take that class." It was the fear that made me have a fixed mindset and think that Java was super hard and was impossible for me to pass the class. However, once I began to take this course, becoming more exposed to the ideas and concepts of programming, my fear of this topic gradually alleviated. Through this experience, I became more open-minded about programming and it allowed me to develop a growth mindset instead of a fixed one. Having a growth mindset led me to expand my horizons and discover my interests.
Your evolution from fixed to growth about programming/engineering is nearly the opposite for me. At first, all I could dream about doing was engineering because my dad is also an engineer. I eventually started to think about other potential career paths and I feel a lot more free. It is great that you have become more open to programming. Just because it looks hard, it doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a shot. You can grow by trying and learning new things. Although the exact skills of programming and coding may not be related to, for example, being a lawyer, the critical thinking and logic skills that you may learn from programming can certainly help.
DeleteFreshman you sounds just like me! I have never ever touched programming/computer science before because I have always thought that it was just too complex and difficult to grasp for me. None of my family members are in engineering, so I never had a real pressure to pursue computer programming, but it is really inspiring and reassuring to know that you managed to grow out of your fear for the subject, and embrace a growth mindset towards it.
DeletePrompt: Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteAfter being elected as Lynbrook's Inter District Council representative, I grew terrified of becoming an student government officer in charge of making important decisions in student activities and the structure of student leadership at school. I remember being timid in the beginning during our ASB officer discussions over the summer because I felt that I needed to be of a certain-caliber in terms of leadership to offer something valuable during meetings. However, I came to realize that at these small discussions with other student leaders, I had the opportunity to propose new ideas and figure out the challenges as a group rather than have to present an already thought out and fail-proof plan. For me, this is a transition to a growth mindset in that rather than being concerned of being right, I am taking chances and figuring out how to overcome obstacles in planning projects and events as I go along.
Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteI think having a growth mindset has really helped along my journey through high school. I have pushed myself many times outside of my comfort zone and I have faced many challenges and roadblocks. My view on my problems and failures have changed dramatically from avoiding them to pushing myself harder so the same thing doesn't happen again. As a Lynbrook student, I feel like we are always comparing ourselves to others around us. And it is tough. I have realized that when you compare yourself to others, somehow you would never be good enough. That is why I have changed my mindset from fixed to growth. When I face my failures, for example when I didn't win at a competition, I frequently ask myself: what is my goal? what did I learn from it? Where do I go from here? Instead of avoiding my failures, I study my results and look how I can improve. Even though sometimes things don't go the way I want them to, I am still able to learn new lessons and skills every time I try. Instead of giving up, I tell myself that I will try harder next time and work towards success.
It's so awesome how you became a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Many people compare themselves to others especially at Lynbrook, and I think that's what makes them believe that grades define who they are. With this mindset, the things that they fail at makes them upset about themselves when they should really be motivated to try harder next time. Everyone has failed sometime in their lives and there are more to come, and instead of looking down upon themselves, they should ask what you ask yourself, "What is my goal? What did I learn from it? Where do I go from here?" Because these thoughts are what motivates people and what makes them stronger in the future.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe there is a correlation between cheating at Lynbrook and the fixed mindset at Lynbrook. At Lynbrook, everyone is defined academically. When someone refers to being smart, it simply comes down to numbers: your percentage in a class, how many A's you have, your GPA, etc. The environment at Lynbrook is so competitive that no other aspect of life is emphasized except for academics. Students cheat to keep up with the expectations of the general public, that Lynbrook is a top school in the nation. If students don't get all the A's, they and their peers deem themselves as a failure. I think that we all need to realize that life is composed of so many other things more than grades, and that although a good education can get you somewhere far in life, it will not be the end of the world if we fail. Many of today's main businessmen are high school/college dropouts. Take Steve Jobs for an example. Although he dropped out of college, he made such a big impact on the world that he essentially took technology to a whole new level. In conclusion, we should reflect on these words by J.K. Rowling: "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default."
I completely agree with your idea that Lynbrook defines students as nothing more than a set of numbers. The high instances of cheating at Lynbrook correlate strongly with the data shown in the Ted Talk regarding children who were encouraged through a fixed versus growth mindset. Many people in Lynbrook are plagued with a fixed mindset, worried to such a large extent about their "academic ranking" that they frantically go to extreme measures in order to placate themselves with a good grade despite the highly dangerous consequences. In the real world, people's accomplishments are strongly based on their ability to communicate and form connections rather than their ability to solve for the integral of an equation. In only obsessing over grades, however, students at Lynbrook are largely overlooking this.
DeletePrompt: How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteA person has a fixed mindset when they do something a certain way all the time because that's how they achieved their success. A fixed mindset isn't a good thing because you won't learn anything new, you'll always do something you know how to do and never try new things. In order to have a growth mindset you need to be able to change the way you normally do something. You need to find new ways to do something but most importantly you need failure to grow.. Take Thomas Edison for example, at the time people used fire as a main light source. Edison thought of a new way to light the world with a light bulb. Each time he failed, he was able to use his failures as building blocks. He eventually succeeded and changed the way we live. In order for someone to have a growth mindset they must understand that failure leads to success. Without failure you won't grow.
I agree Daniel, but I also believe that in order to change their mindset, they have to know that they are able to do it, and that it is them choosing not to grow and learn when they have a fixed mindset. The first step is to know you have a closed mindset, and then be motivated and gutsy enough to change it.
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ReplyDeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteWill Smith said he's afraid of fear. This connects to FDR's quote saying "there's nothing to fear but fear itself." There's the possibility of being afraid to do something, so it means you won't want to do it. If you are afraid, you might not want to do something, and hence not even try. It can either push you away from trying to do something, or it can motivate you into challenging your fear and doing something you haven't done. If you are afraid of it, there is a big chance that you would be able to learn from it. In life, if we try things we are afraid of, instead of pass them because of fear, we would be able to do much more. Will Smith believes we should challenge and undertake our fears, so we can learn from it and do whatever we want, and have nothing stand in our way. Fear is usually the fear of failure, which shouldn't be a fear, but a goal that you can learn from.
I agree, by turning your fear of failure into a goal, you not only eliminate the fear but also take on a new challenge from which you can learn and grow from. By taking the new opportunity you become prepared for more things you may have to face in the future ensuring success.
DeleteI really loved your take on the fear of failure! I myself am conflicted about the idea of fear being motivation, because I think we should set goals based on wanting to improve ourselves and because we strive to discover new things. The only consequence I see for the fear of failure is that we may attempt to take shortcuts to scrape an escape from failure- in fact, the fear of getting "bad" grades is what motivates many to cheat here at Lynbrook. So, I would have to disagree with Will Smith, in that a fear of failure is only a catalyst for a fixed mindset and doesn't really inspire us to reach our potential.
DeleteI really agree with what you said. The things that I have most regretted have been the things I never even attempted. A lot of people are so afraid of failing that they never try anything outside their comfort zone. By not taking chances, people miss out on so many experiences and possibilities to learn. Failure should not be viewed negatively; it is essential to make mistakes when in the process of accomplishing an extraordinary goal. The key is to focus on the end goal and to not get discouraged by (so-called) setbacks. They are opportunities to learn and challenge oneself, and the building blocks of success.
DeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteThe things that we aren't comfortable with or afraid to do, make us stronger and help us to grow. Fear powerfully shoves us in the opposite direction and we have to push ourselves to overcome it. Will Smith says that fear motivates him because fear is always a challenge. People tend to stay away from things that fear them because they are afraid or think that they are not capable of accomplishing the task, but that lack of confidence is what pushes us away from trying harder, not the task itself. And when we overcome these fearful tasks, thats what makes us stronger as a person and it motivates people to do more because they have accomplished a challenge.
I agree with Grace that fear pushes and motivates us to be better. Let me pose some questions. By having your initial push be fear, are you truly being yourself? Are you happy with being motivated through fear? Isn't fear an idea that is looked down on because it has a negative connotation? What if you are not "motivated" by fear? Fear is simply something you put on yourself and can be taken away if one chooses to.
DeleteI agree! There is truly nothing to fear but fear itself. I have often shied away from tackling my fears due to lack of confidence, but finally overcoming those fears have shaped me into a stronger, more resilient person. Overcoming fear is probably the most rewarding feeling ever.
DeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteMore specifically, Will Smith said he was motivated by "fear of fear". What he means by this statement is that he does not want to be confined by a fixed mindset and be pressured to live up to standards that others set for him. In fearing to fail these expectations, he would essentially be living to please others rather himself and neglect to take risks that would help him grow as a person. Seeing as he strongly values the idea of living life to the fullest, succumbing to this fixed mindset would, by reason, be the one thing that he would hate to do. We can apply this idea to our lives by focusing primarily on our own desires and goals in life. In utilizing the growth mindset that Will Smith so glaringly supports, we can also aim to refuse to be inhibited by the expectations set forth by society and those around us.
*Will Smith says, "Just decide who you're gonna be and the universe will get out of your way." Has that ever happened to you? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThe creation of our largest barrier is the consistent and repetitive instilling of an improper approach to challenge. Without failure, there's no path to true success. Unanimous success cultures a mentality of privileged accomplishment: one without the need for hard work and failure. Will smith decided that the universe could "bend" around one's persevering and unrelenting, regardless of random talent because there's no way someone could neither fail nor succeed, in of which to fail is to succeed by pushing the boundaries of comfort.
Greetings, Michael. I partially agree with your ideas regarding success in our society today. It is indeed true that without failure, we would have nowhere near the amount of success that we have today, although today failure has too much of a negative connotation. Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” It is because of these failures that innovators in history achieved success. However, consistent success does not always create a privileged accomplishment. Unanimous success is the result of a myriad of failures that had happened previously, and it is why our society is so advanced in present time. Regarding Will Smith’s statement, while it may have some merit, it is also not always true. In the huge world we live in, there has to be multiple people having the same goals in their lives. These are the people that consist of the “universe” it is not always certain that they will get out of the way. In many cases, these people are competition. Competition creates advancements in society, which is good for the general populace, but bad for those that are pushed off their path by the “universe”.
DeleteDo you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteNo there is no correlation between a fixed mindset and cheating. Cheating is caused by lazy students with large work loads. A fixed mentality would manifest itself in bad standardized test scores. Students would believe they are bad, and therefore not try to get a better SAT or ACT scores. But most LHS students study for these very tests, showing that there is not a prevalent fixed mindset at Lynbrook.
I disagree with George because I believe that there is a correlation between a fixed mindset and cheating. At LHS, students expect other classmates to get good grade and get into good colleges. So because of LHS's or the student's mentality-it adds pressure on other students, and if one can't handle such a thing, he or she resorts to cheating. Therefore, it definitely isn't because he or she is lazy but is because he or she doesn't want to be known as the "dumb one" in class, they want to be known as the "smart" one and thus tend to take the easy way to achieving good grades just like the video where most kids preferred the easy puzzle rather than the harder/complex ones.
DeleteWill Smith says, "Just decide who you're gonna be and the universe will get out of your way." Has that ever happened to you? Explain.
ReplyDeleteShortly after coming back from RYLA, a leadership camp I went to over the summer, I decided to change my perception of life. For me, that means to not bother with what others think I should act and say. I find there are times where my peers, friends, and even my family expect me to act a certain way. For a large part in my life, there have been several instances where I acted in a way that would please others. Well I forgot to please myself. When I acted in a way that wasn't myself, I felt out of place, and it was easier for outside influences to distract me from who I truly am. Many times people would judge me or recognize me as someone who I wasn't and that is perfectly fine for them to do that. It is perfectly fine and totally up to them to decide how they want to perceive me. What is perfectly not ok is how I had to pull all these strings to display the ideal image of what others perceived me as. I was caught up in the fixed mindset. In school if I received a poor grade on a test, I would justify my growth mindset with the fixed mindset. I would say things like "I am so bad at math." In our era, people are so afraid to make mistakes, they end up regretting that they did not try and sequentially did not grow. Failure is an option. It's a stepping stone to success. At school, I mourn for those who do it only for the grade. I met a volunteer at the hospital who said he wasn't good at AP CS because he got a B his second semester of the class. What does that even mean? I then asked if he learned anything, and he said plenty. What you learned is more important than the grade, regardless if you got an A or B. It is through our mistakes and through our efforts that we become better people.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI believe, particularly in Lynbrook, that there is a strong correlation between cheating and a fixed mindset on campus. Many students who live in this area were raised in an extremely competitive environment. These students are given high standards to which if they do not meet, they are not praised. In such a space where students must be "smart," there is no other way, when they are falling behind in a class, but to cheat.
I agree with Alec that our campus is unlike most learning environments where failure is not an option and people will find any way to hide failure, including lying, and cheating. Of course like Alec said, students aren't completely at blame for the environments but they are to blame for the actions they take within the environment. I like Josh's holistic view of learning which I believed is similar to the videos we watched in that what we learn is much more important than the grades we receive. I know this is hard for a LHS student to hear and even take seriously but I have talked to a lot of people right out of high school, midway through college, and even those already in the field and all agree that if you can't prove you know what you learned or are not good at it you will not succeed, and if that comes with your proficient grades then fantastic. But if someone cheats to get their undeserved grade then they will not succeed later on in life because they will not be able to prove they know what they learned.
DeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteTo me, being motivated by fear means not being afraid to try new things even if it ultimately leads to failure. In many cases, failure should not be seen as something that holds you back, but a way of seeing what you're good at or what needs to be improved on. Fear should drive you to try new things that may be out of your comfort zone. Fear is what makes us mature as humans. There is no room for growth if we are constantly staying within our boundaries and not trying something new. It is the act of trying or even conquering our fears that should motivate us to try harder in life and seeing that there is nothing to lose
Jeff Chung! I agree that the fear of failure is what makes us grow as a person. I think that we need to fail in order to learn new things and even accomplish greater things.
DeleteWill Smith says, "Just decide who you're gonna be and the universe will get out of your way." Has that ever happened to you? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think what Will Smith meant is that if you are determined to achieve a goal then nothing can’t get in your way. During my sophomore year I was the catcher of my softball team and it was a position I never played before. Being inexperienced made me feel like I wasn’t good at this sport which made it frustrating at times. After many practices and games I became more confident in myself and enjoyed playing the position. Towards the end of the school year I made a goal for myself. I wanted to be a catcher who could catch foul balls. During the 2nd to last game, the opposing player hit a ball that flew straight up and was about 7 feet in front of me. Without thinking, I dove and reached my glove out to catch it. Unexpectedly, the ball lands perfectly into my glove. I learned that if you are determined to do something, and you have a positive attitude, nothing can get in the way. As long as you are confident and determined to achieve your goal, you will achieve no matter what.
P.S @Ms.Ene this is Tina Quan from your 2nd period.
Tina Quan! I agree, as long as you keep a positive attitude as well as a determined mindset, there is nothing that can stop you from being able to achieve your goals in life.
DeleteWill Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteI believe that many people avoid trying you tasks because of their fears. By being motivated to overcome fears, Will Smith strives to improve himself by forcing himself outside of his comfort zone. Since he has been very successful, he believes that the risks he tasks are truly worth it and that everyone who think outside of the box.
I believe that if we applied this idea to our lives, our lives would be more successful, as we would improve by fixing all of the mistakes that we made. This correlates with the idea of a growth mindset, because the people who concentrate more about learning rather than failing are the ones that improve in the long run. Thus, by overcoming what we fear, we learn more and as a result become better people.
*Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteI think that what Will Smith means by this is that he's of afraid of being held back by fear itself. It is because he is so scared of fear, or in other words being held back, that he pushes even further in order to conquer whatever it is that goal or fear was in the first place. We can apply this idea in our daily lives by conquering our fears one at a time. By doing so we would eventually get rid any fears that we had started out with and move towards achieving the goals that we set for ourselves. In this way, because we are no longer left with any fear except for the fear of fear itself, our paths are clear to conquer what ever we choose. This gives us a mental advantage as well as the confidence needed in order to succeed in life and become whatever it is we want to be.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think there is definitely a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset on campus. At Lynbrook, the idea that we need to have perfect grades and go to amazing colleges is so prominent. When we do well in school our parents often are happy but when we don't do as well, they often feel as we are not smart enough. This is the basis of a fixed mindset. Rather than encourage us by saying we are hard working or that we are trying, they tell us we are smart. This leads to the pressure of impressing your parents and ensuring they are happy. When students feel the daunting pressure of their parents, the most accessible means of success becomes cheating. If parents choose to compliment and encourage their kids by rewarding their hard work rather than their smart/good grades, students may feel less compelled to cheat.
I totally agree with your point on complimenting and encouraging kids to be rewarded for their effort and hard work rather than being praised for being smart. I think it really affects the outcome, because if kids are only being praised for being smart, they will not want to study and challenge themselves. Also, if their parents are displeased, then they will end up turning to cheating as an option because of pressure. Also, at Lynbrook, the environment and peers pressure the students to have to do well, and that also causes students to want to turn to cheating.
DeletePrompt: Who would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful? Explain.
ReplyDeleteManny Pacquiao has one of the most incredible rags to riches story. He used to live in a poor rural area in southern Philippines. His family was so poor that they would sometimes skip out on meals. At the very start of his boxing career, his first (unprofessional) trainer thought that Pacquiao would never become a fighter since he had no muscle at all. After only six months of training, the trainer's perspective of Pacquiao had changed and knew he would become a champion one day. The trainer said Pacquiao had great self-discipline and learned everything fast. Pacquiao quickly grew in popularity and rose into the ranks of world class boxers. One of the most difficult losses he faced was against American boxer Timothy Bradley, in 2012. Pacquiao's determination grew to great heights and two years later, he would face off in a rematch against Bradley. In the outcome of it, Pacquiao was the winner and reclaimed his WBO welterweight belt. After going through a tough early life, and difficult losses, Pacquiao became incredibly successful in the sport. Manny Pacquiao will go down in history as one of the greatest to ever step in the ring.
Prompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteTo me, being motivated by fear means to prepare well for everything I do due to the fear of not meeting the expectations. Sometimes I put in twice the effort for things I do because of the fear of not doing enough. In other cases, challenging new things with the fear of you not being able to do well is also "motivated by fear". In life, fear of not meeting your own expectations with motivate you to be more prepared; fear of trying new things will help you learn more than the things themselves once you have overcame the fear.
Prompt: Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me during the summer. It was when I finally realized that I am a senior and that it would be the last year playing football for LHS. Last year, as a junior, I wasn't bothered by losing games or people talking about how much the football team sucks, however, right now, as a senior, I feel a bit upset. The worst part is-I don't have the right to talk back because due to last year's season and they are right, we weren't great. So ever since summer practice started, no matter how difficult practice was or how hot the weather was-I always gave it my best so I can win games to finally prove that "This year the football was better than the marching band."
I agree, as long as we put a maximum effort into whatever we do, it doesn't matter what the result is, what matters is that we gave it our best.
DeleteI think that the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset is that a fixed mindset type of person is complacent while a growth mindset type of person is willing to strive for more.
DeleteBen, I agree with the idea of your fixed mindset changed to a growth mindset because you got passionate about yourself wanting to win football games this year. I think that if someone wants something to happen, they don't care what the conditions are, they are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their goal.
DeletePrompt 1: Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteJust today on my run I noticed how much of an impact both a fixed and growth mindset have on a person. Our workout for the day was to run to the hills and continue up a 2.5 mile trail. A specific section of the run is steep for a very long time and I had a conversation with myself in my head what I should do. My two options were to either, slow down and maybe walk because my legs were in pain, or continue running up the hill but endure the pain. I decided to leave the group I was with and slow down a bit because I told myself that I could not keep up with them. I ended up falling behind and they had to wait for me at the top. At this point in the run I hadn't remembered the video we watched in class. Shortly after the difficult uphill section the other runners decided that the 2.5 mile loop was not enough and after they wanted to do another mile and a half more of hills. Again I told myself that I can't do the run, I'm not good enough. Immediately I remembered the video and added on "yet". The other runners went off to do the harder addition to the workout and I stayed back. I started to think about what I could do to be able to do that run in the future if at the moment I am unable to do it. I decided to add on a mile of easier hills so that in the future I would be able to run with the rest of the guys on the harder trail. I really enjoyed the videos we watched in class and I liked how relatable they can be in real life.
Hi Shawn,
DeleteThanks for sharing your experience. I think that it's pretty great how you experienced a change in your mindset right after we went over it during class! The beginning of your story serves as a prime example of what someone with a fixed mindset would feel/think and the latter of it perfectly represented the array of emotions that eventually led to a change in mindset. I was reading more about Carol Dweck’s research on the growth mindset and found a section that relates to your story really well. A mindset, according to Dweck, is a self-perception or “self-theory” that people hold about themselves. When you mentioned the part in your story where you automatically told yourself that you were not good enough to run with the group and that you were tired, it reminded me of the aforementioned definition and how Dweck worded it. Thanks again for sharing.
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ReplyDeletePrompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteIn a recent Parade article, actor Will Smith said: "I’ve always had a horrible fear of not achieving…All it takes is just one person telling me I can’t do it, and I’ll use the fear of failure as fuel." Smith’s secret was simple: flip the negative energy around and make it a challenge. Self doubt is the key to success.
The desire to be competent, better, and to be able to achieve more is the fuel that drives someone to become greater. No one is born into success. True success is derived from challenges and obstacles that were overcome and they are never ending. There are an endless amount of possible obstacles that can hinder someone who is on the path to becoming greater. The key is to take the challenge and the self doubt to better oneself.
This can be related to psychologist Carol Dweck’s study on the growth mindset. In a growth mindset, people believe that they can be developed through dedication and hard work. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. If someone was not able to ride a bike, per se, and this same person has a growth mindset, they would note their “failure” and use it as motivation for becoming better.
I totally agree with what you said above. I think that the way a person views the situations that happen in their lives really is the deciding factor on the type of mindset and view they have towards the world. In any case, it is always good to keep a positive outlook even when we do have failures.
DeleteI certainly agree, I think that motivation is driven by the fear of failing and not getting what you wanted from the future, Will Smith's motives to work hard are to avoid fear which is what drives him to be successful.
DeletePROMPT: How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteA: I believe that our mindset changes from growth to fixed, and switches back to growth as we age. As children, when we were given a piece of paper and crayons, and asked to draw something, the resulting artwork was usually an abundance of squiggly lines that were meant to depict "mommy" or "doggy". Yet somehow, as we grow older, we are taught to draw inside the lines, and our once abstract form of thinking becomes restricted to the mindset of others. I believe that the fixed mindset is developed during our teenage years primarily because it is the period of time where we are unsure about who we are and who we want to be. In this time of insecurity, we begin to depend on others' definition of success, and thus others' definitions of ourselves. However, I do believe that with enough life experience, we will be able to escape the confinement of a fixed mindset. By experiencing failure but continuing to push through and thrive, one can truly find value in the idea of constantly improving oneself, thus embracing the growth mindset.
I actually did an art piece describing exactly what you said! I completely agree with the mindset process as you grow up. A lot of what you believe in your teenage years are extrinsic sources. We are confined and we follow along the lines because we aren't sure what to do, so we let others guide us. But eventually we are able to learn from our experiences.
DeletePrompt: *Will Smith says, "Just decide who you're gonna be and the universe will get out of your way." Has that ever happened to you? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThis has happened to me, when I discovered Interact, a community service club. My interpretation of what Will Smith had said comes down to creating a purpose and following through with your plans; and because you are passionate for your purpose, you will take every opportunity, or even make opportunities for yourself to execute your purpose. Your passion obliterates all obstacles in the way of you reaching your goal. For myself, I became extremely involved in Interact because I love service and helping others. I aspired to be like those leaders who were able to create opportunities for individuals like myself to grow. The position I was striving for took hours past homework, and even years. Plus there were only a few positions open for me to apply for. But that didn't stop me from going for it. No obstacle kept me from striving to reach my goal.
I agree with your point of passion obliterating all obstacles in the way of your goal. I think that without passion, there would be no motivation to work hard or strive for new goals. Every person is in charge of their own future and the choices you make directly affect you.
DeletePrompt: How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteA: I believe that there are actually many things that could change or influence one's mindset. Although this is true, I actually believe the most important thing to be whether or not the person is willing to be open to new ideas and accepting other opinions. It is always possible to change one's mindset unless the person is unwilling to. Looking at things in a different perspective is one way to change one's mindset because it allows the person to see things from a different view and possible change the way that they think because of it.
I agree :)
DeleteNo one can really make progress at anything unless they actually try. It is definitely possible to have a change of mindset at any age, only if one chooses to be open to new ideas. If someone is stuck in their own beliefs and doesn't care to take anything else into consideration, changing their mindset would probably be very hard. The only way people can bring out the best in themselves, is if they approach life with a better perspective and actually put in the effort.
Prompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteFear is a powerful emotion that can be psychologically helpful or harmful. It's all a matter of perception. When someone is able to embrace their fears and use that adrenaline and energy to motivate themselves to improve, fear is a beneficial tool for success. One can use fear as an incentive to succeed rather than give up out of fear of failure. Will Smith says that he has a "fear of fear". When someone channels their fear of failure into fear of fear, they will find the motivation to succeed through fear. Everyone can apply this in their daily lives by challenging themselves not to give into the fear of failure. Instead, try using your fear of fear to motivate you to overcome obstacles.
Hmm... I definitely agree with you. Fear is a motivator, but how someone reacts to it can be either positive or negative. Fear can challenge us to work harder to achieve a certain goal but it can also cause us to find shortcuts in order to get to that goal faster—shortcuts often being something like cheating.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe there is a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset. A fixed mindset is a perception that someone is either good or not as great in a certain thing. This creates a feeling of ease in continuing to do activities one is relatively comfortable in doing. However, if a new concept is introduced, and it is difficult, one may resort to cheating to combat the pressures of learning the difficult topic. In addition, people in fixed mindsets often fear failure since they may always be successful when doing something they're comfortable in. Because failure would be rare, there would be a deeper feeling of concern when failing. The fear that comes with failure subsequently drives people to cheat, in order to avoid failure (at least temporarily) and return to one's comfort zone and to boost confidence and morale. Basically, failure would not be an option in a fixed mindset because the concept of failure being a method of reinforcing a concept is nonexistent. Rather, a fixed mindset believes that succeeding is the best way to support one's learning. In the end, it really is fear which drives people to cheat, in order to maintain one's confidence and ego. Since many of us students would rather not fail for fear of disappointment from friends and parents, this would cause cheating to be a tempting option.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely a correlation between cheating at lynbrook and the fixed mindset. The majority of students at Lynbrook have parents who are engineers. They were the brightest of their peers, which allowed them the opportunity to immigrate to America and study here. Many of the parents want their children to do well so that they can have an easier life than they did. This is usually manifested in wanting their children to go to the best schools in the country, such as MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and so on. Not wanting to disappoint their parents, many students take far too many AP and honors courses although they aren't ready for the workload. Many students fall behind due to the fast pace and difficulty of these classes and end up resorting to cheating in order to get an A. The A is so important to many of us students because we feel that the GPA is everything. If one does not get that above a 4.0 GPA, he or she won't be able to go to the top UC's or Ivy Leagues. We students are wired into thinking that all we need is the grade in order to get into a good college, so that's all that matters. All we need to do is get the A, in any way possible.
*Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI feel like in Lynbrook many people feel the need to lie about their scores, or even sacrifice their integrity to achieve a letter grade that doesn’t mean anything. The idea of if winning makes you a winner than losing makes you a loser, is constantly being fed to our minds. Luckily for me, my parents didn’t teach me to live life in this model. However I know that many Asian households many kids are expected to live up to that. After a while one’s worth begins to become determined by their grades and achievements instead of their efforts. That’s why I feel like the fixed mindset often forces people to lie and cheat in order to satisfy their self-worth.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePrompt: Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I only joined Studio Art this year, I can already feel my mindset. Last year, in Art 1, I was sometimes complemented for my ability to draw portraits that looked exactly like picture that I was copying off of. People would tell me that I was good at art and that I was talented because I could do this. For the rest of Art 1, I focused mainly on technique and on continuing that level of detail to make my works seem equally as impressive as my first few. I didn't take many risks in my artwork and I didn't think outside the box because I was so afraid that for one of my projects, people would not be as impressed anymore. I felt like I had to maintain my title of being "good at art" and "talented". In contrast, in Studio Art, there is a large emphasis on creativity and failure. Pieces are photographed many times during a process so that students feel comfortable experimenting and failing. Failure is not looked down on, but looked at as a teaching tool to help others in the future understand what not to do. I find myself learning to express what I see in new, random, and weird ways without worrying about how amazing they'll look or how artistic i will look by making these pieces.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThere is certainly a correlation between cheating and a fixed mindset here at Lynbrook. A student with a fixed mindset believes that intelligence is an inborn trait. They're either smart, or they’re not. A student with a growth mindset believes that intelligence is a learned trait, and it can be improved with hard work, perseverance, and learning from failure. In this area in particular, there is a general expectation for students to be "smart." The pressure put on kids to be accepted into top tier colleges, and excel in all academic and extracurricular endeavors is astounding. Students with a fixed mindset (there are many here at Lynbrook) believe they have maxed out their full potential once they have reached a certain level of academic achievement. At this point if they're not satisfied with their current level of achievement, they resort to academic dishonesty, with the misguided conception that the only way to get ahead is to cheat. After all, they "just aren't smart enough." If students at Lynbrook develop a growth mindset, they will realize that they can reach new heights if they put in the necessary effort. Extra studying, increased participation in class, etc. can actually make a huge difference in academic performance. The fixed mindset of many Lynbrook students that they only have the inborn ability to excel academically at a certain level hinders them from reaching their true potential, and encourages them to cheat.
I completely agree with you that the fixed mindset is very prevalent here at Lynbrook. I think it's fascinating that from only a short time at this school you can already see the fixed mindset that plagues our students.
DeleteLike the TED talk speaker said, many parents often subconsciously focus on praising their children with fixed mindset compliments. Especially here at Lynbrook, I think that is exactly what happens at home. Instead of asking if there was a lot of effort put into a test, parents often ask their student why they weren't smart enough to score better like their smarter peers.
Because of the way parents interact with their children in this community, it is quite obvious to even new students like you that cheating could possibly be directly related to the fixed mindset here at Lynbrook.
Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain
ReplyDeleteYes, I think there is definitely a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset of students on the Lynbrook campus. A fixed mindset is when people think that certain traits are innate and that those traits are fixed. Instead of challenging themselves with harder things out of their comfort zone, these fixed mindset people tend to turn to thing that are easier for them, because they will excel and be praised for being naturally talented. They also believe that talent can get them to success without work. At Lynbrook, I feel like some students have a fixed mindset, and they do not want to study, because they think they can take tests and excel because they are naturally smart. Because of fear of failure and disappointment, especially to their parents, these students then turn to cheating as an option. The pressure from the Lynbrook bubble/environment and peers also makes students think that they have to get straight A's and excel at everything they do, which also makes these students turn to the option of cheating.
Prompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteFear is a emotion that everyone has. Motivation by fear is a type of motivation that is based off of consequences. For example, a student wants to try really hard on a math test because he or she does not want to be yelled at by his parents. The consequence here is disappointment from his parents, and himself. The student is able to use this fear of failure as a type of motivation for getting a good score. Using fear as a source of motivation is very common and can be applied into everyone's lives. When someone is motivated by their fear, they try their hardest to not give into fear, and to overcome the idea of failure.
Hey Lunxi, I agree with your idea that fear is a very prominent source of motivation. I feel that many of us can relate to having parents with high expectations and therefore fearing we are not good enough. I do not feel however that it is a healthy form of motivation. Motivation should be a drive within all of us to do our very best rather than trying hard to not fail.
DeleteHi lunzi I think that is an interesting way of looking at the situation. DO you have an example of a time where you over came fear and motivated yourself
Delete. One example for me was taking physics honnors
*Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteUnlike most Lynbrook High students, I did not attend Miller Middle School. The school that I attended for four years was located by downtown Campbell and because of the area, the learning environment was completely different. School had never been something that I struggled with because the courses were not too advanced and the teaching styles were very laid back; at least in my opinion. In addition to being able to maintain my GPA, I was also one of the few Asians in my school which made me a target for people who "forgot to do their homework". Therefore, middle school consisted of peers copying off my work and praising my mind as repayment. Due to the high grade point average and constant praise of my genius, I went into freshman year confident in my ability. Unfortunately, the courses were drastically more advanced and the teachings were a lot more vigorous so within my first month I was looking at grades that I did not feel reflected my intelligence. Once second semester hit I was convinced that I was not as smart as I originally had thought. It felt pointless to even try anymore because I was being shown numbers and letters proving that I was not as bright as my classmates. All of this brought down my self confidence in a dramatic way but I knew that I had the choice to either replicate this feeling sophomore year or I could try and take what I learned in my first year and adjust accordingly. Once I took that first step in believing that there was no other way but up, I discovered something even more important than smarts: improvement. From then on I began to strive to be better than the person I was yesterday rather than maintain an arbitrary status that would restrict me from going above and beyond my own expectations.
I agree with you because improving upon earlier faults is the best way to gain success. In the long run, we can apply our earlier mistakes and make sure to not make them in the future. Intelligence is acquired throughout our lives through experiences; scientists were not born with the knowledge of scientific revelations. Rather, they learned from their former errors, acquired knowledge, and morphed our understanding of science.
DeleteThat's so great Weixin. It's definitely important to strive to be better each day, even if it's the smallest bit. Sometimes I think about how great it would be to go to a less competitive school but then again it wouldn't be nearly as stimulating/challenging. Life is best lived outside of your comfort zone. A change in mindset can so easily change a more difficult situation into a blessing but it's not always easy to figure out how to make that happen. Good on you.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, many Lynbrook students believe that an individual is defined as intelligent based on a grade rather than a measure of acquired knowledge. The actual process of learning is not valued for most students, and it's the end result that ultimately defines the intelligence of a student, especially for those at Lynbrook. Because many people believe that intelligence is innate and not gradually acquired, they resort to cheating on exams, with the fixed mindset that they do not have the ability to do well in a specific subject. As a school that has been ranked as one of the top in the nation, with SAT scores ranking 7th in the nation, people concentrate more on the numerical results to ameliorate their chances of getting into colleges, without thinking about the potential repercussions of cheating. Ultimately, intelligence is not defined by an A in class when the individual might have cheated, but rather by the growth of the individual through the learning process, and the comprehension of subjects previously labeled difficult.
*Will Smith says, "Just decide who you're gonna be and the universe will get out of your way." Has that ever happened to you? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThe Universe by definition is "the whole body of things and phenomena observed or postulated; the world of human experience". Your experience of any given situation and its outcome is solely determined by how you view the world. I think what Will Smith means is that when you set out to accomplish something great with a positive attitude, hard work and heart there's no way you can fail at all because every failure along the way can be seen as something positive. Situations only take place, it's what is thought of those situations by people that determines them as either failures or successes.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteLynbrook in particular teems with students striving to achieve the high grades they are expected to bring home, no matter the cost of means of getting them. Students' parents constantly drill into their minds that they are intelligent and therefore must bring home perfect grades. Rather than commenting on the amount of effort the students put into their work, parents immediately jump to labeling the intelligence of their child. It is this mindset that parents and peers have contributed to building that causes Lynbrook students to feel so pressured as to turn to cheating in order to get those grades. By cheating, they can ensure their "smart" image and keep up with the school stereotype. This fixed mindset leads many students to believe that cheating is the right answer if they aren't sure they can excel easily. In schools like this one, the fixed mindset of being smart correlates directly to the amount of cheating occurring to attain high grades.
Ooo Tash, I agree with you because parents, especially mine, always compares my grades and intellegence with my smarter friends. Because they often compare me to people with 4.0+ GPAs I often doubt my ability to do well in school and consider cheating so that I will be on par with them.
DeleteI agree with the consequences of the fixed mindsets that you have shared. Parents who praise only intelligence create students who end up willing to resort to anything, including cheating, to keep the intelligent reputation they have.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThere is a strong correlation between a fixed mindset and cheating. Lynbrook is a very competitive school and the pressure to keep up or stay ahead is very intense. This is a fixed mindset that several students have, and they will do almost anything to achieve good grades, including cheating. There is no such thing as failure in the fixed mindset of doing well in school, so cheating is a sweet-looking option. Cheating takes less time than studying for hours on end, and both can achieve good results. But cheating only gives the illusion of a well-rounded, skilled student. With a growth mindset, students would be willing to take the time to study and build up the skills needed later on in life, and still do well in school. With the fixed mindset, if time is running short, cheating is one of the only options. Expectations from peers, teachers, and parents can cause a student's fixed mindset to be more resistant to change, because students cannot stop doing "well" until everyone is satisfied.
I disagree. Although having a fixed mindset may make one more inclined to cheat, I believe that the pressure to succeed coupled with the fact that the grades they get in school quite literally may determine their future give plenty of motivation to cheat. Add the fact that it's rather easy to cheat, and you end up with tons of students cheating. Of course, there's the option of simply studying harder and better, but everyone has their limits. When someone loads up 7 APs in a single year so they can get in to that Ivy League college that their parents are threatening them to get in to, the desire to cheat and succeed with ease beats the abstract idea of maintaining one's moral standing.
DeletePrompt: Who would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful? Explain.
ReplyDeleteOne great example of a famous figure who has overcome several obstacles, including his own failures, to eventually become successful is Steven Spielberg. Although his name is now one of the most well known in all the world, he wasn't always regarded so highly. Something most people haven't heard is that Spielberg was rejected by his first choice film school not once, but twice. The University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts received and rejected two applications from Spielberg as they simply did not see the potential in him. This failure only served to give him more motivation, however, as he went on to win more than 150 awards throughout his filmmaking career. He was even honored by the college that rejected him when USC built a new wing of the film school in his name. Spielberg's refusal to let the thoughts of others deter him from his dreams is the reason he is so successful today, and his stories of failures and successes can serve to inspire to us all.
Prompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteI feel like Will Smith is trying to say when he says that he is motivated by fear, is that he wants to conquer his own fears and that the idea of failure is just an idea. He does not let it control him but rather uses his fears and insecurities as fuel to do the unexpected. He does not let his own personal fears stop him and this is one way we can apply that idea to our lives. We can use our fears as motivation and energy to push ourselves forward instead of using them to stay still and stagnate.
I agree with this because many people with a fixed mindset lose the ability to push themselves to overcome fear because they become so used to living within their comfort one, that's why it's important to instill the idea that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.
DeleteIndicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteI think that I learned to change my mindset from my experiences at the National Japan Bowl. Although my team placed first this year, the first year that I participated, we placed second. I think that I entered the competition with the fixed mindset that our school's Japanese program was good and that we were probably better than the majority of the other participants at Japanese. Although we got into the "top", it was not enough to satisfy me. I had been working for five months to prepare for the competition and I had fallen short of my goal. However, because of my fixed mindset, I might not have worked as hard as I could have been. Still, I blamed our loss on the fact that the other team had a Japanese member on it and that their school's Japanese club was much larger, and probably better than Lynbrook's. Luckily, I did not decide to quit and instead tried my best to participate again the next year. In the end, my hard work and effort paid off and we won first place. I would also like to think that my experience of placing first, instead of getting to my head, motivated me to try my best again because I learned that my hard work would be rewarded, and by doing so we were able to place first again this year in the highest level.
I think it's really amazing how you were able to change your mentality from this event. Winning first in itself is an amazing award, but knowing that it was your own hard work and mentality that allowed you to win is even more satisfying. Congratulations on your change of mind and winning.
DeletePrompt: Who is a famous figure that has overcome difficulties to become successful?
ReplyDeleteUh Ashlyn Freaking Harris. Y'all probably don't know her but she's a goalkeeper for the U.S. Women's National Team (right behind Hope Solo) and before she was on the national team she tore, not one, but both of her ACLs. For soccer players, a torn ACL takes a whole year to recover from or it could end your career right there. And if you do recover you've already missed a full year of conditioning, practice, and games. But Ashlyn was such a badass that when she tore BOTH of them in college, she still went on to become one of the best goalkeepers in our nation and get a spot on the national team. Freaking amazing. Growth mindset man.
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DeleteWill Smith says he's 'motivated by fear." What does he mean? How can we apply this to our lives?
ReplyDeleteWill smith means that the idea of being afraid of something gives him the courage to pursue new activities because it means he is pushing the boundaries he has set for himself. By eliminating the idea of fear, you are overcoming any obstacles that are in your way because you have made the decision that nothing can hold you back. Using this technique is an important step to acquiring a growth mindset. If you continue to live with a Fixed mindset, you will never grow as a person.
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ReplyDelete*How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteA person could change their mindset to a growth mindset by being indoctrinated in to believing in a growth mindset. Similar to how the children of North Korea are raised to worship their dear leader as a god, Students are subjugated to a barrage of videos that denounce realistic thinking and praise being blindly optimistic while being told that having a fixed mindset is objectively wrong with only vague explanation as to why, such as "it's science" and "you won't be successful." When people are repeatedly told something that is stated as the absolute truth, they begin to believe it to be the truth, as they have been conditioned to view anything else as false. In short, indoctrination is a very effective way to change a young person's mindset.
I agree. If a person is taught for most their life to believe something, then they will eventually believe it, even if it obviously contradicts with their observations.
DeleteI agree that indoctrination can play an important role. On the other end of the spectrum, from an early age, many of us are constantly praised for being "naturals" or "talented" for successes, and told that "you're just no good at it" for tasks that may be challenging. The fusillade of praises and other comments representing expectations from parents and other role models/figures of authority can end up reducing us to a fixed mindset, creating an aversion to failure and the learning opportunities that come with it.
DeletePrompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteResponse: I think there is a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset at Lynbrook. At Lynbrook, people want to be the best at everything and feel accomplished, which in itself is a good thing. However, because the standards are so high and we have a fixed mindset, we feel like we are failures if we don't reach the bar. We disappoint both our parents and peers. When we can't achieve what others expect to achieve based on our own abilities, we have to resort to backhanded methods like cheating or endure shame. This fixed mindset pushes Lynbook students to frequently cheat.
*Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteJunior year, I was in Dr. Rocklin's honors physics class. In the beginning of the year, I believed I would do very well in the class because I thought I was a talented student. However, I got so many D's and F's on his tests and quizzes. Because I thought I was talented, I blamed everything but me for failing that class. Towards the final test, I started getting my minds together, and started reading the book more carefully and asking Dr. Rocklin questions. I ended up getting an A in his class, and the experience made me think that I have to try hard to achieve something. This experience changed my mindset from fixed to growth.
-HwiJin Yeo
Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI believe that there is a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset of our students. From a young age, we are given praise leaning towards a fixed mindset, like "You are so smart!" or "You must be very talented!" This puts pressure on us later to excel at everything. However, when the material gets harder, we start to do less well in school. In order to keep our parents happy, and to feel "smart" again, some of us tend to cheat. Although we all know it is the wrong thing to do, our fixed mindset forces us to obtain good scores dishonestly.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a correlation between cheating and the Lynbrook mindset because a lot of parents want their child to be the best. However because of Lynbrook’s reputation and its high standards, it is more than often that the students feel less than smart. At Lynbrook a B is often referred to as “failing” and not having 5 APs makes a person “dumb”, because of this mindset, cheating seems like the shortcut to success.
Yes, I agree that cheating comes from external pressures such as parents and peers. Sometimes when I get a bad grade on an assignment, my parents ask me why I performed so poorly. This kind of attitude just leads to unnecessary disappointment that could be a potential source of cheating.
DeleteI agree! I'm always super proud of myself if I get a B or even a C, but then I would hear people in the background complaining about a 97% and how they wanted to jump off a cliff. When all my friends were taking AP classes, I felt super left out but I knew I couldn't be on their level so I had to take the chill classes. Lynbrook is also fast paced, we learn things and then forget them since we don't go deep enough. Cheating doesn't even seem bad if compared to this.
DeleteDo you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI think that there is definitely a correlation between cheating on the Lynbrook campus and the fixed mindset here. People with a fixed mindset, which is a mindset that a majority of Lynbrook students have, tend to assign labels to everything academically oriented. Therefore, some scores are labelled "good", whereas others are labelled "bad". When someone gets C on a test, which is supposedly a "bad" score, he or she is labelled as being not smart. This causes students to cheat, because they do not want to be labelled in such a way. Conversely, other students are labelled as being "smart", and sometimes cheat to keep up their smart reputation. All this is a consequence of the fixed mindset at Lynbrook, and can be avoided when students stop labeling each other.
Prompt: Who would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful?
ReplyDeleteOvercoming a failure, or even a challege is probably one of the hardest things to do. Everybody wants things in life to go as smoothly as possible, and cater to their needs. However, the most successful people in the world didn't ever have it easy. One good example of that is Bethany Hamilton, aka "Soul Surfer". Today, she is known as one of the most inspirational people in the world. Bethany was always a talented surfer, and was in fact a prodigy. She had a supportive family, but most importantly she was confident in her ability. Never had she ever imagined something terrible would happen to her. One fine day, when she was relaxing on her surfboard near the coast, when a shark swam up to her and bit her arm off. A surfer's arms are one of the most important tools for balance, or even to surf at all. Imagine an artist becoming blind or a musician becoming deaf, all of a sudden. Not only did this take a toll on her phsyically, but also mentally and emotionally as well. Such a traumatic incident could have made her stop surfing all together, but her strength and determination kept her going. She tried surfing many times after losing her arm, but her attempts failed. She was told that surfing with only one arm was impossible. She worked harder than she had ever worked before, and eventually got the hang of it. After countless hours of strenuous training, she not only became 'good' at surfing, but she became a master at it. Like many people around the world, I think her story is overwhelmingly inspirational. She taught so many people that no matter what happens, anything is possible if you persevere and work hard. Not having a vital body part did not stop her from becoming one of the best surfers ever known.
*Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThere is obviously a correlation between cheating at lynbrook and the mindset here. Students are under pressure from both the high standards of Lynbrook and their own parents. Nobody wants to feel like they're dumb or a failure, especially when compared to their smart and hardworking classmates. Moreover, many of us have parents we want to impress, and in order to avoid disappointing them people turn to cheating to raise their grades up. A good test score also avoids potential shame and humiliation from receiving bad grades and having other people see it. Many factors like high standards and reputation lead to cheating, especially from schools like Lynbrook.
I agree. The students in the school are under so much pressure that they feel as if they need to excel at everything. They think that the grade is the most important thing and as a result cheat to get the grade they want.
Delete*Who would be a famous figure you believe has overcome his/her failure to become successful? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed a few Albert Einstein posters in some classrooms with quotes along the lines of "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."
Although Einstein did display extraordinary math skills at a young age, Einstein struggled in various other subjects such as chemistry, biology, and French. People thought he was "slow", and because of his shortcomings, he failed the entrance exam to a polytechnic institute in Zurich. Despite his failure, Einstein studied and was able to pass the exam the following year. However, Einstein had trouble in college, and graduated near the bottom of his class. This proved to be a problem for him, because he was the only one in his class without a job offer. He applied for countless professor positions, but was denied from them. To sustain himself, he worked many odd jobs, finally settling down as a patent clerk at the Swiss Patent Office.
From there, he decided to take charge of his life; everyday, he would finish his job in 2 hours and do his own science at work. During that period of his life, Einstein's work ethic and perservance led to him to formulate some of his greatest discoveries such as E=MC^2. He continued to work hard, and made more important discoveries. In addition, Einstein did end up becoming a professor years after starting the clerk job. Einstein is a great example of someone who overcame his challenges.
Prompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteWhen Will Smith claims that he is "motivated by fear" he displays that fear lives within every human being; everyone fears the consequences of what happens when they could fail. Will Smith uses this fear to his advantage, and uses it as his motivation because he doesn't have a fixed mindset that most people have when they are afraid to do something. Will Smith shows that he has a growing mindset as he hates being afraid to experience his fears. People are usually afraid to try something that they don't want to do because it is too uncomfortable for them This alteration scares most people; however, for Will Smith, he chooses to face his fears, because he is simply scared to fail at anything he does. He doesn't feel that he should stay comfortable if he wants to succeed, he has to struggle for it. This can be applied to many of our lives as we fear to do many things that we would never want to do, but has to be done due to the success that we desire. As humans, we make many mistakes in our lives, and we fear to make the same mistakes that we have made in the past, so we make sure to never make that mistake again, so we could become better at whatever we have to do.
Prompt: Will Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteI feel like I align very similarly with Will Smith when he says he is motivated by fear. He says that he is afraid to fear, and because of this he works hard and diligently to accomplish things that will help him overcome his fear. Smith would rather struggle and succeed than shy away from opportunity.
This applies to my life as I am terrified of getting sick. Over the course of high school I have come to realize that when I do not get enough sleep, I become sick. Because of this I have figured out that I must fear procrastination to such a point that I must time manage to keep my health. This means I fear procrastination instead of embrace it like so many others.
*How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteThere are innumerable types of people in this world, each having a different mindset. There are also many ways to change one’s mindset, but how that occurs depends on several important factors. In regards to the fixed vs. growth mindset, the most crucial factor is the environment in which someone grew up in. For example, a boy who grew up with parents who constantly imposed a fixed mindset upon him will inevitably develop a fixed mindset himself, and it will be much more difficult for him to transition to a growth mindset, as the ideas from a fixed mindset will have been ingrained in his brain. Now, this is not to say it is impossible for the boy to change to a growth mindset, as it is very much still possible. Again, these changes occur according to the environment the boy interacts in. In school, the boy may see his peers striving to do better, and follow suit. He may adapt more ideals from a growth mindset as he observes others around him. The environment one is in can heavily influence one’s actions. This is one of the reasons why many people in third world countries want to come migrate to a first world country, because these people do not want their children to focus on mere survival in the world, but instead focus on making something of themselves. The environment one is in plays a huge part in one’s mindset, especially in the early years of life. A drastic change in environment can drastically change one’s mindset.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset on the Lynbrook campus. Cheating is a means of fulfilling the fixed mindset: success, which is defined as a "good" grade, can be secured through cheating. What most of our parents have taught us as students to focus on is being the best. For example, if I ever tell my father that I scored highly on an exam, he asks me whether my classmates did well also. The value of my achievements, then, is determined by my performance in relation to my hardworking peers. The emphasis is not on my hard work during the process leading up to the test; it is on my results and how they match up to those of my classmates. It really is no wonder, then, that Lynbrook students cheat. Some of us just want the grade, and will do anything to get it.
I agree with the point you made when you explained the direct correlation between cheating and a fixed mindset. I think the point you made about parents not validating their child's good score by praising their hard work is a very serious issue and should be more of a topic of conversation within the parent teacher community.
Delete*Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, I realized that I have not always had a growth mindset. When I was in middle school I began to develop a fixed mindset because of my poor math skills. I felt that my poor math skills would effected any other academic endevor I might undergo. I began to doubt my ability as a student with any academic future. Until last year, my junior year, college seemed like it would never be anything more then a dream. However after attending Lynbrook last year my fixed mindset began to change. Because of the high expectations placed on each Lynbrook student, I realized that it was completely up to me whether I was going to rise to the occasion and succeed or continue with my fixed mindset and be left in the dust. I began to ask questions instead of holding them back and take every opportunity to redo any assignment to make it better. Now that I am in my second year at Lynbrook and my last year of high school I am not afraid to try new things during school or fail, because I know there will be opportunity to try again.
I changed my mindset for taking physics honnors last year. Everyday I was struggling in that class. I had an extremly hard time grasping the concepts and keeping up. But rather than droping the class (tlike the other 15 people) i stuck with it and road it out. I managed to barley scrape by with a b and i was pretty proud of my self. Considering I had started with a C-. I do think the fixed mindset at lynbrook is causeing the cheating. people are too afraid to fail and face the consequnces. SO yes enviorment doesplay a role. when Mr. smith says fear motivates me, he means to tackle fear head on. and thats the only way to over come it.Will smith thiks that he's unstopable and he wont bow down or give up to anyone.However i think mindsets are usally ingrained into a person
ReplyDeleteI had pretty much the same experience as you in physics honors last year. At first, I was doing very poorly because I hadn't been studying before tests and skipped most of the homework. Eventually, I realized that if I wanted to get a decent grade in the class I would have to study hard and do all the assignments thoroughly if I wanted to succeed in the class. I agree with you that the failed mindset leads to a lot of problems that people have in Lynbrook with learning to actually learn, or just to get a good grade.
DeletePrompt: *Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that there is a correlation between cheating at Lynbrook and the fixed mindset here on campus. When someone takes a test or a quiz and they receive a bad grade, they think it's because they're not smart, not because they didn't study enough or didn't do the homework assigned beforehand. Rather than recognize this problem and work hard to fix it through more time spent studying or working, many students opt to take the easier route. Many do this because they believe that they are just not smart enough to do well on the next test, and as a result think that the only way to get a good grade is by cheating. In the end, this becomes a perpetual problem because people don't learn anything new due to cheating, and have to cheat to maintain their grades.
I agree with you, Malik. The tacit emphasis on doing extremely well academically places individuals in the environs of cheating, and this initial displacement leads to a dangerous rigid mindset. This fixation will be a detriment in the learning process and overall in the journey of life, something that must be eradicated and improved.
Delete*How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteTransitioning to a fixed mindset is relatively simple. People who are constantly praised on innate ability and success will eventually move towards a closed mindset, coasting on “talent" and attempting to avoid dealing with the repercussions of failure and “not looking smart”.
The reverse is much harder. First of all, the person would have to come to the realization that their mindset is a limiting factor and an obstacle to improving. This can be difficult, as a fixed mindset could mean that the person may refuse to accept this. He or she would also need to start thinking about failure as an opportunity to learn from, instead of as a mark of shame and incompetence.
I think that the points you made are very valid. You said that to change from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, the person would have to realize that their mindset limits their improvement. Not all people recognize this though. Why would people want to continually have a fixed mindset if there wasn't something good about it though? Shame and fear can only hold a person back so much. While there are a considerable amount of reasons why a growth mindset is better than a fixed one, should we not consider that each has its own benefits? Would everyone actually be better off having a growth mindset?
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ReplyDeleteWill Smith says he's "motivated by fear". What does that mean? How can we apply that idea to our lives?
ReplyDeleteBy saying that he is motivated by fear, Will Smith is saying that fear is something that does not keep him back from trying something new. Instead, if he is fearful, he tries to overcome his fear. If someone is fearful, they spend more time thinking about being fearful, than they do about thinking about the present. Fear is something that prevents us from thinking of clear and solid thoughts. If a person is not fearful they they are able to think through a problem. In addition, fear is something that keeps us from trying new things. If someone is not fearful than they try new things and even though they might make mistakes they are not afraid to keep trying. The mistakes they make will allow them to grow, while the person who is fearful will stay the way he is because he has nothing to learn form.
Prompt: Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe that the cheating that occurs on campus is correlated with large population of fixed mindsets. The Lynbrook mentality is focused on grades rather the actual learning process. I think that parents often unconsciously influence this mindset by praising their children’s intelligence rather than efforts. Students are then forced to get good grades by any means in order to hold their reputation as intelligent. Since so many students hold this mindset, it has become the Lynbrook stereotype and even others who may have previously had a growth mindset are pressured to conform to the fixed mindsets. Rather than concentrating on their individual growths, students find themselves competing with each other, comparing everything from grades to hours of sleep.
I agree with what you said Prachi! I do also feel a lot of times our parents only talk to us about our grades and how they should all be straight A's, and if they aren't straight A's then we're not going to be smart enough to get into an amazing school. It's this fix mindset that our future all revolves around our GPA, SAT score, and what university we end up attending.
DeleteHow do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteI believe the environment we choose to surround ourselves in is the biggest effect on our mindset. Although one may argue we are the only ones who can control our views on certain ideas. Ultimately it is those who we choose to surround and talk to, the most, who influence our thoughts the most. By simply surrounding yourself in a positive, encouraging, helpful environment, one can easily switch their mindset from fix to growth!
*How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think it takes time. Lynbrook is a fast paced school, there's no time to slow down and fully understand the material. Or well, that's basically how I felt in math. I guess I'm just a really slow learner, but if someone explains it to me step by step, then I would understand how to do it and I end up being really happy and proud of myself. Of course there wasn't time for that at Lynbrook, so I always had a fixed mindset in math. It seemed like everyone knew how to do algebra/calc from day one, so the teachers never really thoroughly taught the lesson. I still have a fixed mindset in math because of my horrible memorizing ability.
Art is completely different though, you can actually see your improvement. Just a month ago I found my drawings from 2010, pretty cringe worthy to be honest. When I was in the 6th grade, everyone said my art looked like s**t (they literally said that), which really hurt my feelings and then I had a fixed mindset on drawing. I still drew though, because I didn't have anything else to do. Each year I would look back at my drawings, I saw the improvements and felt motivated. I then realized that anyone can do art, it just takes time and practice. It took me 8 years to get to where I am now, and I'm glad I didn't give up. So yes, it takes time to go from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, especially since people are extremely stubborn.
How do you suppose a person could change his/her mindset?
ReplyDeleteMindset change does not come about easy as mindsets are usually what makes a person; it defines how one acts and responds to the world. When something is so rooted in one's brain, it is hard to modify it. Change to one's mindset will most likely come due to something drastic happening. A catalyst of some sort that shows clearly to the person that what they are currently doing does not work and that something has to change greatly in order for things to go well. It will probably be harder for fixed mindsets to become growth mindsets as people with fixed mindsets are under the constant fear of doing something wrong. Changing mindsets to them might seem like the wrong choice when compared to the safety of doing things that they know will have ok outcomes. Changing from a growth mindset to a fixed mindset might happen if one goes through great failures and grows fearful of becoming a disappointment.
Do you think there's a correlation between cheating (on the Lynbrook campus, in particular) and the fixed mindset here on campus? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that there is a correlation between cheating and the fixed mindset. There is a lot of pressure on people to succeed, where a person’s “success” is determined by the number of A’s they receive. As a result, many people focus on the grade as opposed to the real point of the class: to learn something. And with learning come mistakes and failures, which so many people (including myself) fear. I feel like failure is perceived as unacceptable, which is completely ridiculous in a learning environment where people are bound to make mistakes. Many people worry so much about not being regarded as smart that they avoid taking chances and in turn miss out on opportunities to challenge and better themselves. With all the pressure on students, some feel that they have to get the A by any means possible (like cheating), rather than focusing on learning the material and getting something worthwhile out of the class. The thought that people feel like they have to resort to cheating for a letter on a paper is an extremely depressing one, but unfortunately is a situation far too many people have faced.
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ReplyDeleteChanging Mindset Prompt:
ReplyDeleteI believe there are three steps in altering one's mindset to a growth one from a fixed perspective. First, one has to listen for the inner voice of this fixed one, the one that is dull, unwilling to learn, and rigid (no pun intended). This realization will help initiate the process much more smoothly. Second, that person must understand that they have the ability to alter their own voice. This is similar to how we humans try to "fit in" to our surroundings if we feel uncomfortable; one has to become uncomfortable with this fixed mindset! This change is the most important factor in the process. Finally, practicing this concept daily will help one's daily endeavors and lifestyle choices tremendously, enhancing the process of decision-making and ultimately the path to success.
Indicate if there was ever a time where you changed your thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Describe the transformation.
ReplyDeleteMy transformation was during the 2014-2015 wrestling season. I never really thought i was good enough so i settled for less than what i should have. I wasnt really that passionate about wrestling and only wrestled because i was told i had the natural athletic ability. But when people couldnt recognize my talent from the hard work i put in it made me want to show everyone the actual work grind i had. Putting in the extra hours on the mat, lifting during my free time, and watching what i ate, really made the difference and was a difference that people saw was from my on self discipline. I never really thought that i would be at the stage that i am today. And after recovering from a torn ACL i realized how much it really means to me. Before i had taken it for granted and just did it to do it. But now i do it for self improvement and keep myself motivated. Even looking at the elites, everyone has even the tiniest things to fine tune and it drives me to work harder knowing that when im not working, my opponent is.