Get in the Mindset

     It's all about mindset. That is what I have always been told my entire life. And I truly believe it. It is all about mindset. I think that the education mindset is just now changing, but only because of the given circumstances that COVID brought us. We are now shifting to a mindset that technology in the classroom is okay. Using student ideas is also a very important shift that needs to happen, creating a class mission statement can be very useful. Also, collaboration between students has been found to be most effective, this changes from the previous independent learning that used to occur in the classroom. Finally, that failing is okay, because when you fail, you learn the most. 

    Furthermore, modern educators need to adapt the mentioned mindsets. Technology needs to be accepted, because society revolves around it. Why should students be forced to memorize content when they can google it? Instead of requiring memorization and testing on content days later, modern educators need to consistently use formative assessments instead of summative. 

    Creating a class mission statement lets the students have a voice in what the big picture is. Having it posted in your classroom allows students to be reminded of why they are there. What is important? What message do you want to send students? By giving them a voice, you are sending a message that it is their classroom too, it is not a dictatorship. This is a new mindset, I feel as if the classroom used to be "The Teacher's Property," but now there is a shift to "Our Classroom" not "My."

     Collaborative work. Starting dialogue between students. It is so important that students are able to talk to one another. Previously, classrooms used to be silent with students working independently at their desks, faces in a textbook, or writing an essay. Now, classrooms are loud, they are a community, every student has a voice. Students work together more, group work is no longer frowned upon, it is encouraged. 

    Momentum from mistakes. Students need to reflect on their learning from mistakes. What have they gained from making a mistake? Where do students need to spend more time? We need to take the shame away from making mistakes. Personally, growing up, I always had a hard time making mistakes. I have just now become comfortable with mistakes. And I wish that when I was in school, I would have been encouraged to make mistakes. Additionally, there needs to be less emphasis on getting an A. And more emphasis on the learning process, not the outcome. Grades don't matter. What you learn matters.

    In conclusion, again, it is all about mindset. Modern educators need to shift their mindset to new ideas. Society is changing, and classrooms are changing. We need to focus on letting our students have voice, letting them work together, and figure out how to work well with one another. And they need to know that it is okay to fail. Everyone fails in life, and you must pick yourself up and learn from your mistakes.