Date of Award
5-2-2020
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
Program
Differentiated Instruction
Capstone Instructor
Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinde Fakuajo
Second Reader
Professor Ann Kern
Keywords
growth mindset, perseverance, academic achievement, grit
Abstract
In order to be successful in academics and life, children must have a certain level of perseverance, or willingness to work through challenges. Without perseverance, a child may quickly give up or request assistance and, thus, stunt his or her learning and potential. Due to its important implications for success, it would be beneficial for educators to develop perseverance in their students. One method for building perseverance in children is by fostering a growth mindset. A growth mindset is a belief that traits, such as intelligence, are malleable, often through effort and perseverance. When fostered by educators, a growth mindset in students may lead to greater academic success and achievement. The current author conducted a thorough literature review, analyzing quantitative and qualitative research to determine the potential benefits of the growth mindset on perseverance and academic achievement. Current research demonstrated that the growth mindset is positively correlated to perseverance and academic achievement, though to varying degrees. Furthermore, studies have shown that growth mindset interventions can positively impact both student mindsets and academic achievement. Based on the findings, it may be of value for educators and administrators to incorporate the ideas of the growth mindset in educational settings. Below, the current author described the findings of the literature review, expounded on their potential implications for education, and discussed its applications for the classroom, as well as the needs for future research.