Growth Mindset Challenge: Multiple Intelligences

After watching the Multiple Intelligences video...

I knew from the very first comic of the "multiple intelligences" memes that I lean heavily toward linguistic! I love to read and write, but also talk and hear other people's ideas. That's one thing I really love about this class--it's all reading and writing and sharing ideas!

I love that this class has allowed me (and made me) write a story every week. Being in PW, we're supposed to write all the time (at least every day, maybe six days a week), but sometimes it's hard to make yourself write when you don't have to. Especially after you have to write 4,000 words a week in the fall semester...being on winter break didn't exactly make me want to hop back on the keyboard.

But this class has reminded me that all writing doesn't have to be as structured, or as purposeful as, say, writing a book or short stories. Sometimes you need to journal your thoughts, or create stories from other stories, and that really gets the creative juice flowing!

And oh boy, am I a naturalist! I love the outdoors, and animals, and exploring! I think that's why The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings spoke to me so much. They're the most epic adventure stories. My favorite line from The Hobbit (quoted mercilessly by me and my two best friends) is, "I'm going on an adventure!" Take me with you, Bilbo.

I'm also very visual/spatial, as I can often remember a quote in a book by picturing where it was on the page. And I like to draw and paint, and I can usually replicate a picture really well by looking at it.

(Totally me)

I'd like to improve on my logical/mathematical intelligence, though. Mostly the logical part of it...I can't bring myself to make myself do unnecessary math just yet. (Not my forte at all!) Josh has great critical thinking skills, and I really admire that trait. I feel like my brain has a lot of potential that I need to exercise more. I should do more brain-teasers or find an interesting puzzle book, because I don't feel like my classes are a good way to stretch that area of my brain. One, because I'm in a lot of linguistically-geared classes (because I chose them), and two, I usually look at my schoolwork as a "get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible and get an A." So, I do what I need for the grade, but I don't always let the information affect my long-term memory or challenge myself if I don't have to (especially in classes I'm not as interested in, like sciences).

(Totally not me)

I liked the point the video made about the intelligences working together...they're each important in their own right, but they function most strongly together. This is something I need to remember and apply more diligently to my own life. I tend to lean toward activities I know I'll excel at (anything linguistic, physical, outdoorsy) and shy away from my weak areas (math, music). But if I work to strengthen my weak points, every part of my brain will function more efficiently!

Growth Mindset: My Thoughts

("I love a challenge" meme from Laura's Growth Mindset Memes blog)

I'd never heard of the Growth Mindset or Carol Dweck before this assignment. I was really pleased with the ideas she presented, though, especially when I thought about my little sister.

Ella is brilliant, but she's also a little immature, and oftentimes when she's presented with a task she's unable to complete, she gets really frustrated and gives up or wants someone else to do the work for her. She wants to get 100% on all her school papers, and if she misses one, she's disappointed in herself. At the same time, she's a perfectionist, and can be very independent. I think she would thrive under a growth mindset atmosphere.

I really appreciate and agree with the idea of praising students for effort and improvement, rather than a simple score or correct answers that came easily.

I can see how I would benefit from the growth mindset. Sometimes, I have a tendency to stray away from activities I find difficult (like math) and gravitate heavily toward things I know I'm good at (like writing or art). I have a feeling this is something most people do, though, since it's generally not enjoyable to do something you're not good at. That is, unless your mindset is learning and growth, rather than immediate achievement. Our society has a tendency to gravitate toward anything that gives us immediate gratification anyway, rather than something we have to work and wait for. The growth mindset encourages improvement and patience, which are attributes we could all use more of.

I'm really interested in learning more about the Growth Mindset and applying it to my learning this semester. I want to strive to challenge myself rather than stay in my comfort zone of "easy."