All of you are welcome to make contributions to our class's blog as often as you wish. Each student is required to make a paragraph-length contribution to our blog at least once a month. When contributing to our blog, please keep the following in mind:
- Write your full name (so that I may give you class credit for your posting).
- Use proper "netiquette." This is a public space. Although it is being used as a classroom tool, please be aware that this blog may be viewed by anyone in cyberspace. Be polite, focused, and avoid inappropriate language and comments.
- Your contribution should really add something to the ongoing conversation. Sorry, monosyllabic responses don't count. Share your thoughts and questions.
- Make this useful for yourself and others -- and enjoy!
I hope you enjoy the class and the blogging experience.
Brian Yablon
I have read Mindset & I'm curious to what the honor students will comment.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChapter 4 Summary
ReplyDeletecopy and paste the following web address into your browser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6oo-ndujwE
test
ReplyDeletePresented by William L.
ReplyDeleteChapter 8: Changing Mindsets
Synopsis: The author goes deeply into the significance and inter-relation between beliefs, fixed-mindset and growth-mindset. Dweck emphasizes on how inappropriate beliefs and assumption attribute to the value system which we impose on our life. This value system, the ability to be great inherently, is the major source for self-esteem, shame and fears which we call “fixed-mindset” that dominates our behaviors. In order to enhance our life, we have to change it to a “growth-mindset”. The author then uses few examples to demonstrate how these changes can occur under different circumstances. In the end, Dweck calls for the action but warns that it would be a continuing process to acquire the constant, positive growth.
Objective: By identifying the far causes and expectation which we have known to or just appeared subconsciously, one can figure what constructs “fixed-mindset”. The author attempts to shift reader’s value system from a judge-and-be-judged framework to a learn-and help-learn framework.
Core Logic: The author contends that people have tendency and need to feel great. It is desirable to have inborn talent, rather than earned capacity. The idea of being inherently special is tempting because one can obtain the lifelong self-esteem, the feeling of worthiness and the assurance for strong and safety in a simple, unchallenging way. The only cost for these great merits is simply to be oneself naturally. Nevertheless, the ideal image of “self” projection often contradicts with reality, or perhaps, the risk of exposing to reality. Therefore, people are afraid of failure. The failure of things they care about equals to the failure of their interpretation of life. This “fixed-mindset” downplays the importance of effort and commitment. In addition, the significance for just simply “trying” your best and learn from it is minimized. In order to promote general mental well-being, to reduce the chance of withdrawal due to failure, to create natural self-esteem, to succeed in relationship and to fundamentally address the threaten that often associates with the realization of true self, the author must establish the links with smooth transition between fixed-mindset and growth-mindset. The author achieves this task by creating the ultimate concept of “learning”. If one can view every experience, positive or negative, as learning process, he or she would not be threatened by the possibility of its failure, for there is no failure. Further, one could understand that there is no direct link between the establishment of self-value and the single event [experience]. To understand that one can’t be perfect in nature [not in god’s sense] is the key to this logic of transcendentalism. Since we become more humble in our sense of self, we are less vulnerable to harmful presumption. Thus, the effort and commitment to restore our potential would eventually catalyze the success we originally hope for. This transformation of thought process [notion that it can be transformed] resembles the core logic in which author passionately tries to preach and demonstrate throughout the Chapter 8.
Three interesting perspective in this Chapter:
1. To change, we have to give up our egos, our original self-esteem protection. How hard is that? Would it be easier to stick to it? Because we might not be able to see the immediate result after the changes.
2. It is against human nature to “bring down” self. It is terrifying to realize that you are no better than anybody else. While we are adopting the author’s method, shall we still be keeping certain “pride”? What’s the ideal balance between earned self-esteem [which author advocates for] and inherent self-esteem that we are reluctant to give up [if we have any]?
3. Finally, the author discourages the fixed-mindset. The idea would probably hurt one’s confidence if one couldn’t understand the logic by its entirety. We know that too much is not good, but sometimes our fixed-mindset is where we got our precious confidence from. Depending on how mature a person was before, perhaps the same principle and measure can’t apply to everybody.
Thanks for reading, any thought or comment is appreciated
William L.
Just Testing
ReplyDeleteZanovia Price great recap of chapter four!
ReplyDeleteMy son once told me "luck was when opportunity meets hard work". I believe that to be true for success as well. This chapter was fun to read and interesting to find that it truly was the mindset of the different athletes that made them super stars.
One athlete that changed his character as he grew was Muhammad Ali. Although he worked hard and had a strong mindset, Ali originally was very cocky and offensive. After he fought Joe Frazier in 1975 one of the greatest fights of all time, he apologized for his offensive and derogatory remarks.
Susan Pietrzak
Testing
ReplyDeleteZanovia Price great job in the presentation of Chapter 4. It was very informative. i like that you showed athletes of all sports. Especially those athletes with disabilities. I liked how you used Pedro Martinez as an example of bad character.
ReplyDeleteWilliam great recap of chapter 8. You wrote a lot of information about the chapter and did summarize it in a way that I could understand it. I thought that the three interesting perspectives from the chapter you put up were actually pretty interesting. I do believe that most of us have a fixed mindset and we should change that in order to succeed, because after all we are our harshest critics.
ReplyDeleteWilliam great recap of chapter 8. You wrote a lot of information about the chapter and did summarize it in a way that I could understand it. I thought that the three interesting perspectives from the chapter you put up were actually pretty interesting. I do believe that most of us have a fixed mindset and we should change that in order to succeed, because after all we are our harshest critics.
ReplyDeleteDiana Escobar
Zanovia Price,
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed your presentation. Having read chapter four, it was a very cohesive recap of the main points presented in the chapter and of the examples Dr. Dweck used to support her statements. Moreover, you provided prime examples of other athletes who rose to the top of their respective sports despite having a less than perfect physique.
I do, however, have some criticism of the content of chapter four. While Dr. Dweck provided excellent examples of how a growth mindset can help an athlete succeed by coping with failure and even learning from it, isn't it true that sports is one place where genetic capacity for physical growth comes into play? Yes the growth mindset helps by making one work hard to improve skills, but isn't true that in a world as competitive as professional sports, even those wihtout a growth mindset work hard to improve their skills? I do not wish to refute the entire theory put forth in the book, but in the case of sports it seems hard to swallow that a growth mindset is the most important key to success. Perhaps a counterargument in chapter four would be a good way to make Dr. Dweck's theory more acceptable.
Francisco Gutierrez
William L great presentation of Chapter 8 of the Mindset book. It was easy to read and understand. I agree with the author that inappropriate beliefs and assumptions do impose on our lives because it closes our mindsets. It won't let us expand and grow our minds.. i also agree that in order to change we do have to give up our egos to allow for the change.
ReplyDeletePlease take the time to review my presentation of chapter 7 of the Mindset book. Please copy and paste the link below into your browser:
ReplyDeletehttp://docs.google.com/Present?docid=dhfq7cs9_128c6274rfv&skipauth=true
Thank you for taking the time to read through this, all comments are appreciated!
Zanovia Price awesome presentation of chapter 4. I loved the fact that you used YouTube as your presentation. I also liked that you used a range of athletes to demonstrate the different characteristics and mindsets and how they managed to be on top despite not being "natural" athletes.
ReplyDeleteDiana Escobar
James Wood I liked your presentation on chapter 7. Your presentation was very efficient. It was easy to understand and you seemed to summarize the chapter well. I liked the incorporation of teachers and coaches and how to better themselves to better children.
ReplyDeleteDiana Escobar
I must tell you, I have been reading your comments and am really impressed by the depth of your insights. Good work. I especially liked what Susan had to say about listening to her son. I think we should all listen to our children more often. They have wonderful wisdom. Did you know that the Romantics thought that children were closer to God than adults? They felt that children were born with a clean slate, an unmarked tablet if you will and that growing up in civilization to adulthood merely corrupted what "grace" God had given them at birth. Now, although that is definitely a literary allusion or reference, I do think it pertains to Dr. Dweck's book overall. We must be very careful what we say to our children (and ourselves), and we must be very careful what we listen to. Words have power.
ReplyDeleteJames Wood, job well done on your presentation of Chapter 7. When the author says "if success means that they're intelligent, then failure means they're stupid." That does send children the wrong message. Not all childrenare at teh same levels. They're all not going to be successful in everything. We need to help these children become better so that they develop the skills to feel successful in all that they do.
ReplyDeleteZanovia Price's YouTube presentation was fantastic, it was very well put together. The sentiment that talent is nothing without effort is certainly the theme of the growth mindset, that people should focus on effort in every aspect of their life if they want to grow and develop fully.
ReplyDeleteIt is often said about professional athletes that talent is only a small portion of what takes them to the top, it's more about determination and effort to be the best that will make someone reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport. We all could use the same principle to further ourselves and reach our full potential.
William L. that was a great recap of chapter eight. Your short essay seemed very well thought out and with great detail. You managed to take that long chapter and explain it in a very clear cut straight to the point essay. I would have to say that the entire book seems very informative and seems to carry a lot of meaning in a subject I'm sure many have not even thought about.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Aguilar
Zanovia, your layout of chapter 4 was very informative. You summerized the chapter very well. I enjoyed watching your video. I have always been a great believer of mine over matter. If a person truly believes in him or herslef they can achieve anthing. I enjoed reading chapter 4.
ReplyDeleteJames Wood what a thorough recap on chapter 7. From your introduction to your synopsis you cover the subject matter very well. It was pleasant to read and to view. A presentation that if you were to give would have your audience walking away with a different mindset.
ReplyDeleteSusan Pietrzak
Zanovia Price awesome job on your presentation for chapter 4, I loved it!! The You Tube made it more enjoyable to read from and interesting. I agree with you when you described character as having the ability to dig down and find strength even when things are going against you because this is what made these athletes succeed in their careers. After all, natural talent is effortless but having a mind set is triumphant.
ReplyDeleteJames Wood,
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that Powerpoint presentations generally make me want to tear my eyeballs out, I though your presentation was done very well. The main points of the chapter were organized in a clear and concise manner which helped me recall much of the content in the chapter, which i admit was already beginning to slip my mind. My one criticism comes in the section that discourages disciplining children. Though it might work with older children to simply and respectfully say no, I believe discipline is often necessary with younger children who throw tantrums at the slightest denial of anything they want. I am not an expert on child rearing by any means means, but not using punishments of some kind seems ineffective for that child at the grocery store who won't stop kicking and screaming becasue he was denied his Cocoa Puffs.
WOW WOW and WOW, I loved Zanovia's utube presentation. I love sports so viewing chapter four from a sports lovers view was great. I enjoyed how you displayed America's Athletic Hero's who worked to the top. We may believe that they got there effortlessly, but your Utube presentation showed that it took a lot more than NATURAL TALENT to get them where they are today. Excellent job, I enjoyed it very much.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Aguilar
William,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your presentation. I especially like where you bring out the major part that learning plays in developing a growth mindset. I definately agree that this is something that will always require great effort.
Viewing life's challenges with an attitude of "learning" which will help take away the fear of failure is an important point to remember.
We must guard against a fixed mindset that downs the importance of effort and commitment.
I already recommended this book to a several of my friends, coworkers, and family.
Great Job!
Zanovia's presentation of Chapter 4 was very appealing. Great Job! That's thinking out of the box.
ReplyDeleteJames, great job on Chapter 7. This was one of many chapters that I enjoyed reading. Children are very smart and they don't forget. I also agree with Diana's comment about on how teachers and coaches need to better themselves to better the children.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco,
ReplyDeleteI must disagree with the issue on disciplining children. Children are very good at cost-benefit analysis, and given a choice, they will usually choose something to their advantage. True, there are many times that tantrums wear on a parent's patience, but I think removing the child or giving the child clear choices to make -- and then standing by those choices -- is far better than disciplining that child.
Thank goodness that children are resilient. In chapter 7 parents are reminded to improve themselves in order to improve their children. None of us is perfect and we all make mistakes. I know I have, and I am blessed with four children. Yet, if we can really take Dr. Dweck's research and slowly turn that into an outlook, a perspective, a way of seeing the world, then we will improve and improve the lives of our children. It all doesn't just happen overnight. True change takes time.
Out of all the chapters that I read I found Chapters 5,7 & 8 to be more intriguing.
ReplyDeleteChapter 5 because I'm a Business major.
Sridevi,
ReplyDeleteYour presentation of chapter one was very clear and I'm glad you put the link directly to Dr. Dweck within your PowerPoint.
Just to let you know, the PowerPoint on chapter 3 (see the link in the upper right) was done by Yeuprakse Sargsyan.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading chapter 8. I agree wuth the first perspective that William posted, "In order to change we have to give up our egos". I also believe that a person who is willing to change must do it because they want to and not because someone is telling them or being forced too.
ReplyDeleteJames, i loved your summary of chapter 7. I am a mother and a teacher so this chapter taught me a lot. I love the part about criticism because as a parent I often think I am giving my children constructive criticism but through this chapter I can see it being more destructive.
ReplyDeleteBeing a parent, teacher, coach or any authority figure is a tough job. We need all the help we can get with opening our minds.
William's overview of chapter 8 was great, I really feel that he covered the main points of the chapter, and therefore the book. Learning really is the fundamental point of the growth mindset, but we must first strip away our sense of self and our own preconceived notions, so that we may learn and progress further. It is very much like the Zen Buddhist philosophy of "the empty cup," if your mind is full of your own opinions and speculations, how can you possibly add anything more to it?
ReplyDeleteZanovia Price presentation on chapter 4 is great! she points out the good and bad example on characters and mindset on athletes.
ReplyDeletePersonally I am not a sport person at all. Before reading Chapter4 i though muhammad Ali and Micheal jordan never have to face with failure.Surprisingly after read the mindset, Ali and ordan sure had their tough time.
I used to swim for my middle school. There was one time when i had to compete with the olders. I was scared because they are taller and probably more experience. All i know was that i dont want to be the last one. One thing i was thinking was winning. I got third place.
Zanovia,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed viewing your presentation.
It is good to see the challenges that these athletes faced while learning to become a skilled professional of their craft.
I believe we can definately see the importance of learning and to continue trying.
I believe that everyone mentioned in this book knew what they wanted and went after it. They found their passion and despite trials or failure continued in their pursuit.
Great Job!!! But not as good as you sing!!!
Zanovia Price,
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed your presentation. From reading the book and also from experience, I know that what you said is true. I also liked the fact that you gave many examples of athletes who were not "natural athletes," but through their efforts and hard work were able to go down in history as the greatest athletes of all time. I also liked your example of Pedro Martinez, which showed perfectly that effort and hard work are more important than natural talent, which can take you so far.
Chapter 7
ReplyDeleteIn order to break the chain & truly find yourself, not the individual that society wishes for you to portray. You need to understand where does your mindset come from. It could of been from our parent(s) upbring and/or the environment around us. If we can learn & recognize the errors of our ways and understand what makes us who we are. Then we can start on our growth to a better us.
Brian ditto!
ReplyDeleteHow many times the children are the effect of the parents rather then the parents are the effect of the children. Anyone every watch Super Nanny? So often it is the parents who have it wrong. Once the Nanny works with the parents and changes the parents mindset the children's behavior improves a 100%. That is why chapter 7 can be so helpful to anyone who is a parent or will be.
James Wood, good job with chapter 7. I feel like you gave some good tips on how parenting should be. Its good to encourage your kids so that they can see things in an optimistic way. Parents who teach their children how to set goals(having a mind set), are teaching their kids how to succeed in life.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Francisco on the discipline subject. I disagreed with chapter 7's take on discipline.
ReplyDelete("Discipline teaches children that if they go against the rules, they will be judged and punished. It does not teach children to think through the issues and come to ethical, mature decisions on their own.")
I strongly disagree. Discipline is what teaches children that there are consequences for Every act good or bad. Not disciplining children gives them a false reality on life itself. When you grow up into adult hood and you do something wrong what happens? Discipline helps children to begin the process of decision making.
The following is an outline for Chapter 5 of the book Mindset. This chapter focuses on the mindsets of CEO's, Vice Presidents, etc that think about nothing but themselves and eventually bring the company to fall.
ReplyDeleteThe first part of the chapter describes the different mindsets for company "leaders"
FIXED MINDSETS
Big ego's
Only one way to do things
No room for growth
Set up to fail
Higher capacity, better performance
Always in competetion
"Great geniouses do not need great teams"
GROWTH MINDSET
Open to self improvment
Encouraged to learn
Thrive through feedback
Effective leader
Effective communication skills
The chapter broke down several CEO's with the big ego.
IACOCCA (CEO OF CHRYSLER)
Was initally blamed for bringing the "fixed" mindset back
"If Henry Ford was King, I was the crown prince"
Hired new people, built new models
Within a few years, Chrysler was at the top of the chain
But due to Iacocca's "fixed" mindset, Chrisyler was in trouble once again
ALBERT DUNLAP (SCOTT PAPER)
Making money is #1
Thought of himself as a superstar
"If you're in buisness you're in buisness for one thing...to make money"
In 1996, Dunlap took over Sunbeam. The company did so well that it ruined his idea to sell the company
After 2 years of running Sunbeam, Dunlap was kicked out
STEVE CASE (AOL) AND JERRY lEVIN (TIME WARNER)
AOL and Time Warner had merged
Instead of the two working together, both wanted their own personal power and would not work together to make the company succeed
Levin fell first
Case was forced to resign shortly after Levin left
Because of Case and Levin, AOL/Time Warner ended 2002 with a one hundred billion dollar loss
It seems like a trend that most successful companies are run by people of a "fixed" mindset. What do we need to do to break the trend of failing companies due to the fixed mindsets many of these CEO's have?
Sridevi,
ReplyDeleteDespite my previous statement of desdain for Powerpoint presentations, I must once again praise that which I associate with toothgrinding boredom. You're presetation is in fact one of the most well structured powerpoints I've the pleasure, or displeasure for that matter, of reading. Everything was set up in clear bulletpoints with relevant titles that made what was contained in each slide clear. Even the color pallette you chose made it easier to read. Kudos.
I think that the idea from chapter 7 is that harsh physical or verbal discipline is a short term measure, that it only manages to get a child to comply with your wishes immediately. All children need guidance, you certainly cannot let them do as they please, but on the other hand there is another way to motivate children and modify behavior. That can be achieved by the steps associated with the growth midset and passing that mindset onto your children.
ReplyDeleteMr. Yablon,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that children have a great ability to make choices that will benefit them as opposed to making ones that will affect them negativeley. However, isn't presenting them with a negative choice a form of discipline? When I think of discipline, I dont mean in a physical or verbally abusive manner. Telling a child that there will be consequences to negative beahvior, whether it be taking away television, desert, etc., is discipline enough if a parent follows through with those consequences. In short, I respect you're criticism but stand by my statement.
William L. Thank you so much for an excellent summarized. I love chapter 8 because as soon as i started reading it, i could easily connct. I love how Dr.dweck says that Change isn't like surgery. Even when you change, the old beliefs aren't just removed like a worn out hip or knee and replaced with better ones.
ReplyDeleteHe started this chapter with his past when he moved to a new school right in the middle of the semester. How he seemed to don't know the materials while others could but fear to ask for help. He felt fear and powerless. I totally agree on this one.
I was just like him when i moved to High school in texas. I couldn't catch up with any assignments. I cried everyday and CONSIDERED myself as too-stupid-for-this-school. I don't know why i didn't ask for help, may be i was scared. My mother convinced me to try harder, but i gave up. I'm still wondering if i didn't give up, would i get through it or not?
I agree James and I believe that the word discipline is to broad. Discipline itself is not bad it's the kind of discipline you use. I like the word guidance.
ReplyDeleteOkay Francisco,
ReplyDeleteIt all revolves around the definition of discipline. True, children need limits. They need to have boundaries and know what is acceptable and unacceptable. Being fair but firm actually makes children feel safe, certainly safer than an undisciplined environment. I still think that the best parenting, and something that I'm still working on, is removing a child from a situation before it escalates into the need for discipline or harsher actions or words. Hmmm...lots to think about there.
Okay everyone, it is now past 10:00 p.m. You have all done a wonderful job, and I really have enjoyed the conversations -- some were focused on presentations while others were reactions to various comments made. All good stuff!
ReplyDeletePlease continue the conversations. I will check in on the blog on a frequent, possibly daily, basis for the rest of the semester. I encourage you to continue to talk about Dr. Dweck's work, but at this point you may want to consider shifting your attention toward the first theory or set of theories, as well as the short stories. Although we will read the majority of the stories during the semester -- and discuss them in class -- you may write on any of the short stories. Try to read ahead of the class schedule. You may find that it's the 11th or 16th story, for example, that best meets your needs to write from a particular perspective.
I really wasn't joking when I said, ideally, if you're familiar with all of the critical theories and you're familiar with all of the stories, then it becomes much, much easier to match a story to a theory -- thereby making your writing tasks easier to deal with. I know it's a lot to ask, but try to get as far ahead in both of our books as soon as possible. It will actually make the writing less of a challenge the further you get in the reading.
Please feel free to email me or comment to the blog if you have questions, concerns, or just want to discuss some ideas or stories.
Good job everyone!
Not sure who did Chapter 3 as I could not find the name. The presentation mentions the main points of the chapter. This chapter over all was interesting, after reading it, how we praise someone whether positive or negative can effect their ability and IQ. What an eye opener!
ReplyDeleteYeuprakse Sargsyan did the PowerPoint on chapter 3.
ReplyDeleteZanovia!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job! I am a visual learner so the music accompanied by the photos helped me understand the chapter well. In class, you made a great impact on also. The way you taught the chapter and gave the analogies made me see the idea of the two mindsets and how they relate to sports very clearly. In a sense, you totally relayed the message of the author. I ran track when I was younger and Jackie Joyner-Kersee was my motivation. Unfortunately when I lost a race I didn't quite have her mindset. I had the fixed mindset. Looking back I am upset at myself. Relating back to the topic, you gave an excellent presentation.
Joia Danai Stewart
Zanobia, awesome presentation! Wish you would have sung as background :) I am not an sports person at all... I am not quite sure, though, that people with a fixed mindset have it more difficult to succeed in sports. As SirJacknut said, everybody has to push themselves to the extreme. And also I believe that you totally need some genetics in order to be able to succeed at sports nowadays.
ReplyDeleteChapter 8 was very well covered. William reflected the main points in clear and easy to read manner.
ReplyDeleteThe real challenge is the wanting to learn in order to change. People aren't too open to change, perhaps for fear. Like the above quote, "If one can view every experience, positive or negative, as learning process, he or she would not be threatened by the possibility of its failure, for there is no failure."
Overall we need to be able to learn in order to grow, which growth mindset has shown us in this book.
I believe in balance & agree with the chapter that confidence can come from a fixed mindset.
I think we should always know what are options are. The more we know, the more options we have, and the more freedom we have. One mindset isn't better than another. You need to be you & balance will come. I would like to share a quote by the Dalai Lama
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
Don't allow fear dictate who you are. Learn the ways to improve while maintaining your confidence and true self.
Sorry, Zanovia! I misspelled your name :(
ReplyDeleteZanovia Price’s presentation made chapter four more interesting by showing athletes and their mindset, different characters and how they managed to become a champion.
ReplyDeleteSuccess in life is to have a growth mindset rather than having a fixed mindset. Success depends on your mindset, when you work hard to be the best. People with growth mindset are more productive, open to improvement, motivated and encouraged to learn more. The mindset of majority of athletes that made them super stars is growth mindset or better said champion mindset. One athlete who changed his character and fulfilled his dream of becoming a major leaguer is
Pete Gray, the one-armed outfielder, lost his right arm in a childhood accident and he thought his dream of playing professional baseball would never come true. Although he was initially depressed from his accident, but he did not give up and learned and practiced to throw and hit with his left hand. At the age of 15, he decided that his dream of paying major league baseball would not be deterred. After graduating from high school, the St. Louis Browns purchased Pete Gray's contract. Gray made his Major League debut for the Browns on 1945. The one-armed outfielder lived out his boyhood dream and played a major role in his team's victory. With growth mindset, you can go further than you imagine by not limiting yourself.
Chapter 1...
ReplyDeleteThis Chapter was the easiest for me to comprehend. Mainly because it is the first chapter and it explains the two mindsets in detail while the other chapters relate the mindsets to certain aspects of life. A general explanation of the mindsets is the sum of what Chapter 1. When viewing the slides in the presentation I felt as though I was recapping all of the important points in the book. This tool is helpful because it gives me a synopsis of the chapter. The idea of having two different mindsets brings new meaning to all of the reactions to certain situations that have happened in my life. For example, just today I was running late for work and I caught just about every single red light on Nordhoff St. I loudly screamed in my car, "This only happens to me!" Instead of realizing that I could have left home earlier so that I would not be in a rush, I blamed the world. This was my fixed mindset. Furthermore, Chapter 1 gave me an entirely new outlook on life and the way I see it.
Joia Danai Stewart
William, great job with your chapter! I totally agree with Irma, we have to be open to grow. Growth comes with experience, success and failure. Even the growth minded rules are rules... balance is the key :)(and also the hardest thing to achieve!)
ReplyDeleteWhen Joia said, "Chapter 1 gave me an entirely new outlook on life and the way I see it," that was really music to my ears.
ReplyDeleteJames Wood did a great job on the presentation also! Easy to read and understand. I agree a lot in this chapter. I believe that growth mindset should start from childhood. Don't judge teach is absolutely right!
ReplyDeleteYes Jaames Wood's presentation is outstanding! Very clear and complete! This is the chapter that I have probably learned the most from. I am a mother of two and I'll do anything that will help them to have a happy life! I read some to my husband and there are several things that we are going to change in the way that we praise our kids.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco,
ReplyDeleteI’d like to jump in here and add my two cents. I don’t think Dr. Dweck when writing chapter 4 meant to say that only a growth mindset was needed to be successful in sports. A growth mindset is one of the most important keys to success. Yes, in sports, genetic capacity for physical growth comes into play; and perhaps that is the other most important thing and athlete needs to be successful in sports. The marriage of both is what makes the great athlete. Dr. Dwecks indicates in her book that the athlete that is not so much or a natural with a growth mindset will go much farther than the natural athlete with a fixed mindset. I see this first hand with my daughter everyday and it kills me. Every coach tells her she is a natural at basketball. She has the body, she has the movements, she has the speed, but that has only taken her so far. All of this time, basketball has been so easy for her. She out ran the other girls, and she looked good out in the court. But now, she is in high school, and the other girls are taking this serious. Basketball may not come as easy for them, but they want to play. They want to get better, and they play hard. My daughter in the other hand has stopped trying to shoot because her shots don’t always go in. She has stopped trying to play hard, because the other girls play harder. And even though at first sight, she looks like she had potential to a lot of the coaches, she’s does not have the mindset to work harder to get better. All the other girls who didn’t play as good as she did are getting better, because they are putting in the effort. She is not, because she is getting by on her natural talents and not putting in the effort. I still hold out hope that she will understand what we all tell her and put the effort in, and play the game she says she loves to the her greatest potential.
Karla Lopez
Professor Yablon,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy chapter one as well. I want to read this chapter to my daughter as well as Chapter 4. As I mention before, she has great potential to be come a really good basketball player, but she is lacking the right mindset. Through the course of my attendance to college, I include her in all possible circumstances where she can learn or take something from my school activities. I have taken her to Classical Music concerts from school, to the Museums, and a play for my humanities class. Now, I will share this book with her. From the moment I saw this book, I had a great interest in it because I knew it could better my life and my daughter’s. One of the things I really enjoy about going to class is all of the things our professors teach us and expose us to, so we can have more knowledge. I have always believed that knowledge is power.
Karla Lopez
Zanovia!! Awesome job on your presentation! I loved it! Your chapter really opened my eyes to show that not everyone is born a natural athlete. Anyone could be a good athlete as long as they put their determination, hard work, sweat, and will into it. A person might not always succeed on the first try, but when all else fails . . . try try again. We as humans are always sabotaging ourselves by not having an open mind, feeling that other people could accomplish certain things. We are all human and are all able to succeed! It just a matter of how bad you really want it and letting yourself be open to new ideas and experiences.
ReplyDeleteSridevi nice job on your presentation; it is a great recap on the chapter and easy to follow. I especially liked the link at the end of your presentation.
ReplyDeleteWilliam, great job on the chapter outline; it was easy to follow and a great overview of the chapter.
ReplyDeleteChapter 3 was very interesting. It never dawned on me how complimenting a person whether it be positive or negative could impact a persons ability to perform. It made me realize how important it is to think really good before you say something, and how a poor choice of words can have such a huge impact on a person.
ReplyDeleteChapter 8 has a section on how we can promote a groth minset with our kids. I like this section and now I know what to do to help my daughter and myself have a groth mindset. I often get upset when she quickly gives up and doesnt want to hear and learn new things. I use to think that this was a teen thing, but after being exposed to this book, I realize it's a life style and it I will do my part to make sure she is living the right one.
ReplyDeleteWilliam,
ReplyDeleteGood work on chapter 8! I especially liked your three points on 1) relinquishing one's ego. (as hard as that is) Sort of a Zen/Buddhist concept. 2) Keeping pride but letting go of vanity. 3) Being confident, while embracing the unknown. Also, ealier said than done, but the payoff is a way more interesting life's journey.
I just realized I had to comment on one more blog!
ReplyDeleteChapter 8,
I love the learn-and-help-learn approach. I haven't quite had the chance to read all the way to Chapter 8 yet so if this theory is not presented in the book and one that you made up then that's really good. If not, you did an excellent job in explaining it. --"The failure of things they care about equals to the failure of their interpretation of life."-- This quote in particular is relevant to me. (I feel that I'm learning over and over that I have a fixed mindset.) If I ever fail at anything of importance to me I become devastated. I never look at the good. It was so bad that I dropped out of school for two semesters only to return and realize that school is for me and I'm doing a great job at it. Now more than ever I am applying the "Learning policy" to current situations. I now know that there is no failure because every time I do not succeed I am learning something new to change the poor outcome.
Joia Danai Stewart
Yeuprakse, I enjoyed your presentation on chapter three. It was well lay out of the chapter; your built points were well organized and flowed with the chapter. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI just read Ashley Heagy's work on Chapter 5. Well written. It really made me realize how mu ch the fixed mindset contributed to the current mess we are in in this country; from the Bush fixed mindset in Iraq, which prevented the president from listening to his military advisors, to the huge egos on Wall Street and in Congress which have put us hopelessly in debt for years to come. Not to mention, just reading the chapter and thinking what a pompous jerk Lee Iococca is.
ReplyDeleteLogan,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your presentation. It made me think of when I first started school here at Valley and how I had a fixed mindset. My best friend asked me to sign up for honors english with her and I did. Then I became angry with her because I thought it was going to be hard so I didn't want to try. Later on in the semester somehow I had a growth spurt and tried harder and harder to go beyond what I thought I could do. I ended up doing very well and so I decided to sign up for honors again.
Zanovia,
ReplyDeleteI am the same way. I explained earlier in the blog session that I had the WORST Fixed mindset. I only thought I was good enough for failure. I too had this "growth spurt" and am now doing well in school. Not just making the grade, but exceeding in school as well.
Joia D. Stewart
Good job on chapter 1 presentation. It is amazing how we as individuals get in the way of our own success by being closed minded or as we know it fixed minded. We as individuals could do anything we please, it just takes our effort and will to accomplish the task. We are always to busy blaming other people for our down falls.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite chapter was about relationships.What determines the quality and quantity of your personal relationships? I think the #1 factor is your mindset towards relationships. There are many ways to frame the role of relationships in your life, and some options are more empowering than others. Look at relationships one way, and you’ll find it difficult to relate to others. But change your mindset in a certain way, and you’ll find yourself attracting compatible people with relative ease.
ReplyDeleteIs changing things about your appearance to be accepted by society at large operating under the growth mindset? For example, a middle aged, overweight, unattractive male might believe his desireablility to be fixed. But upon adopting the growth stance, he may start to use the gym, buy brand name clothes, die his hair, get an expensive car and pay $20,000.00 for a face lift. Using the growth stance, he now realizes he has the ability to change his situation. Is this the correct approach under the growth stance? Or is there something missing here?
ReplyDeleteI just finished the short story entitled "Toga Party" and I have to say that I was quite taken aback, the ending really surprised me. I found the start of the story to be quite odd in the way that nothing really happened, I felt that it was quite a mundane and ordinary story that was just plodding along, however I found myself being moved by the last couple of pages. It was not the fact that their friend tried to commit suicide but the older couple’s reaction to it. The fact that they would gladly give up their lives so easily, and in such a nonchalant manner. I felt myself wanting to plead with them not to do it, that there was so much more to live for and it made me think about my own life and how truly wonderful and precious it is.
ReplyDeleteHey James,
ReplyDeleteI read "Toga Party" and knew once the story began how it was going to end. I wasn't surprised by the ending because during the story it gave you hints why the would end their lives so nonchalantly. I believe where you are in life, meaning the beginning, the middle or towards the end would make you react differently towards their decision. Great story I thought and really made me think about growing old. Hey I finished the "St Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" strange story!
Susan Pietrzak
I just finished reading "My Brother Eli." This was a very sad story. Eli was very isolated from life and his family. His life was not about his family, his energy was only focused on him as an artist. This story made me be more thankful to have such a great bond with my loved ones!
ReplyDeleteI read "Eleanor's Music" and was very surprised by the ending. I assumed from the title and the first couple of pages that Eleanor would compose a music piece, but instead she found herself by being forced to step down from the chorus. I admire this character very much, because she did not lead a "normal" life, yet she did her best to not let other people's opinions of her bother her. Even at the end, where she felt humiliated and hurt because she was not defended by the one person she thought would stand by her side. Although at the moment she was not the most confident woman, she kept her head high. She learned from her mother to hide her flaws, because in real life those little flaws don't matter.
ReplyDeleteI wrote my first essay on "Balto", and it was so hard to write one cohesive paper because the entire story was full of text that could be analyzed. In the story a preteen girl named Angelle must serve as a witness for her father's trial. Her father was too drunk to drive her home, and had Angelle drive his car. She hit a biker, and her father will be convicted of child endangerment if Angelle does not lie and say that she did not drive his car. The author describes both attorneys in this book with images that remind the reader of dogs - which makes sense because the book is entitled "Balto", a famous sled dog. There is a ton of imagery concerning light, which is what I wrote my paper on. Also, there are beautiful descriptions of different animals, and how people are similar to animals, all throughout the short story. "Balto" is definitely a story I recommend!
ReplyDeleteLogan Guntzelman
Hi Logan!
ReplyDeleteI wrote my first essay on "Balto" too! But I didn't make the connection of the dogs and the lawyers. I thought the story was named "Balto" because that was one of the few good memories the young girl had of her father. All the other memories she had of him were pretty tainted if you asked me. And I felt like this sort of explained the love or why she loved her father. If felt like Angelle, the young girl, was torn between telling the lying in the name of the love toward her father and telling the truth, which is what we are thought from day one.
It was indeed a good story. One of courage and standing up for what you believe is right, despite the consequences.
testing one more time...
ReplyDeleteElenor's Music was a strange story. It felt like fragment of story; no real begining and no real and. I didn't find the purpose of the story other than to narrate a part of Elenor's life and tell us how she felt from her prespective. I did identify with her and the way she feels about herself. The way she looks at herself and thinks specific things of herself, like saying she has great looks and she is elegant. Not to say that that is the way I feel about myself, but I think all of us have stood in front of a mirror and have admire ourselves at one point or another. We wish for things to be one way, when they are another, and we think/predict/hope/wish (subtitute the word with which ever you prefer) we know how other people feel about us. Other than that, this short story felt pretty random to me. In other words, what did it have to do with anything?
ReplyDeleteToday I am working on my last paper, and let me just say, I have been reading about feminist criticism, as well as reading and re-reading the story I will be critiquing... At this point, I am not 100% sure on how to do the feminist criticism. I have read our textbook and I am not confident on how to apply the “who has the power” question. I will be doing my criticism in the story L. DeBard and Aliette: A Love Story. And I will attempt to make the purpose of my paper, not be an examination of everyone in the story or focus on what happens, but more an examination how the speaker paints L. and Aliette on the story and who has the power over whom. I hope this works out because at this point it is crunch time.
ReplyDeleteI am working on "The Truman Show" and I am discovering so many layers and relations... I also saw the "making of" and I am very surprised with the possibilities created by the fact that the director and the actors wrote a "life" for the professional actors that live with Truman.
ReplyDeleteI always thought that Marlon was a mean bad person, but when you think that he probably had a pushy mother that wanted him to be famous at any cost... or that he couldn't make his own choices either... I don't know... It extends the depth of the characters... I thought it was interesting :)
"Do something" makes me feel that it is more to it ... What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit this, but I didn't get Pa's Darling. Not one of those things like, "Oh, I don't like it." I had to read it twice because I wondered if I missed something. I understood the whole thing that her two husbands mirrored her parents relationship, but I feel like there's some bigger subtext going on here, particularly since this takes place in 1960, 1927, and then 1940. Any ideas? Are they communists?
ReplyDeleteHello everyone,
ReplyDeleteI am happy to announce this is the my last blog for this class. Since I have ran out of comments to make on the papers I am presently working on, I figure I would do a review of the techniques I have used.
Essay # 1 – Balto
I used the New Criticism approach to dissect this story. I looked for the tensions and the opposites, as well as the ironies. The main theme of the story is the urge of the little girl to do the write thing. The tension lays in figuring out “the write thing” is and for who. She loves her father, but she also knows that to lye is to hurt her father. The opposite parts come from the way the both spend the same afternoon. The father spends a very relaxing afternoon with his date where everything is perfect, and the daughter spends a very boring and bland afternoon waiting for her father to arrive. The resolution is presented at the end, but I will let you read the story and figure that one out by yourselves…
Essay # 2 – Ridding the doghouse.
On my second essay, I chose to review this story under the Readers Response theory. Many would assume that this is story of a boy rebelling against his father because he is unhappy with his father’s social status and in the process of doing so meets a shady character over the radio who does nothing but scare the bigisus out of him. I on the other hand is a story of a boy who at the tender age of 12 becomes aware of his fathers mortality and how he deals with it. And as the speaker, now as a grown man who continues to deal with it, looks at his own twelve-year-old son is realizing his own mortality.
Essay # 3 – L and Elliette: A love Story
On my third essay, I looked at L. and Elliette’s story under the Feminism loop. This by far was the hardest theory to apply to me. It took me a while to organize the text and see how women, in this case just Elliette, was written and how had the power. I think the auther, Croff, did an excellent job trying to balance the act of power between the two main characters. Elliette takes the cake on this one though.
I hope we all have done well in this class, and I truly hope we all keep growing as readers and writers. There is nothing I would like better for myself.
It was a pleasure… Best regards,
Karla
All done! I'll tell you that my favorite literary Criticism is Biographical/historical. Maybe tomorrow I'll love the Psychological as much or more. But today... I am ready to print it out :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure for me too!