5 Teaching Mindsets To Let Go Off In 2020

The most important thing a teacher could do to become positively influential and a dominant figure for students is to change their mindsets towards conventional teaching methodologies. Having a positive and clear mindset is quite essential for teaching. 

In this article, we will explore some of the stubborn teaching mindsets; educational instructors must let go off in 2020.

1. Fixed mindsets

Teachers holding onto a fixed mindset is often quite a nightmare for their students. A teacher with a fixed mindset is more likely to be laidback and refuse to come out of their comfort zone, and this can be quite debilitating for their students as they derive no amusement or educational incentives in their classroom. 

Researchers in the education sector conducted a study where the fixed mindset adopted by the teachers was compared with a growth mindset, and the results were quite ground-breaking. The teachers that were not flexible and stubborn with their fixed mindset were more likely to have students perform poorly in their final exams. 

One of the other factors why fixed mindset teachers are a horror for the students is that non-flexible or stern teachers are likely to undertake a fear-based approach towards their students. Students prefer to be encouraged and need to be themselves. You cannot apply fear-based tactics to make them perform better. 

Instead, you must offer words of encouragement and praise to boost their self-esteem. Make them feel better about themselves. For instance, you cannot say things like: “Don’t stress; not everyone is good at maths”. This is as demotivating as it can be for students.

Teachers attaining growth mindset are likely to undertake a strategy-based approach towards their students, the strategy-based approach includes performative methods where students learn to improve, and teachers give them regular quizzes and exercises so they could practice and work on themselves.

Most teachers with successful students in their teaching career possess a growth mindset. You must also let go of the fixed mindset and start working with the mindset of growth.

2. Having no clear objectives

When you’re travelling somewhere, you wouldn’t know where to go for sightseeing since you are new to the place and you don’t have any clear goal and plans about where to drive to. Contrary to this, in the academic world, the objectives and goals you set for your students must be clear, precise and attainable.  

Having clear objective and goals are very important as they wire your brain in a way that you know what you are required to achieve and work with the students effortlessly. Furthermore, your students also know what is expected of them, and it encourages them by working as a motivating factor. So, you must set clear objectives for your students.

Ask yourself, What goals do you want your students to achieve? Since just writing down the objectives and goals wouldn’t work, you as well your students need to work for them. This often requires you to be patient and go with the flow. The results will not come soon, but a teacher must enjoy being patient and create a healthy environment for students to give positive feedback. It can be helpful to remember that good results do come, no matter how slow. 

3. Having no sense of purpose

If a teacher lacks a solid sense of purpose, then their students will ultimately fail to reach their targets. As the famous 20th-century adage states, If you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right. 

So, if a teacher has a clear sense of purpose, it also helps the students stay on track. How well do you want them to perform? What is your driving force in teaching? These are the questions you must ask yourself if you want to be a good teacher.

Teachers who want to find a clear sense of purpose in teaching will need to attain a positive mindset because any negative energy eliminates creativity in your mind, and it breeds fear of failure. These problems result in thinking not clearly, and ultimately, not finding your sense of purpose. The successful teachers possess an upbeat mood and a sense of positive energy.

4. Not passionate about their work

Many teachers are passionate about their work, while a few aren't. A teacher who enjoys their work will magically even make calculus look fun for their students! On the other hand, if a teacher doesn’t like their professional or doesn’t like the subject they teach, it will reflect on the annual class performance report.  

If you fall under this category, you must find out why do you feel unmotivated and uninspired about your work. You must dive into your inner self and find what you love. To revive and rekindle your love for teaching, you must either make some adjustments to your choice of subject or get to know your student’s better.    

5. Praising every little thing

Praising your students excessively often backfires. According to an international study conducted by academic experts, it was revealed that it is quite common for teachers to praise their students as a means to encourage them to perform better. It is also prevalent to use praise as an incentive for students. However, in contrast to this, a recent study shows that praise could actually convey teachers’ low expectations of their students.

Furthermore, the study reveals that a student’s failure, if met with sympathy rather than anger, could have severe implications on a student’s mind. The students might think they had performed poorly because they cannot perform otherwise. For instance, when it comes to writing essays and assignments, they might end up seeking help from professional assignment writers UK.

It is important for teachers to keep this in mind and not undertake any methodology that could be harmful to a student’s mind.