Using Video Games to Encourage a Growth Mindset

One thing that I am very passionate about is helping students embrace a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. One of the reasons why I decided to focus my Genius Hour on using video games in the classroom is because I believe video games are a great way for students to acquire a growth mindset. Video games are a great way to use failures as a teaching mechanism. For example, if a student's actions lead to disastrous in-game consequences, teachers can help students use this feedback strategically, rather than having students believe the consequence as penalizing them. Teaching students to use their failures in video games as a motivation to keep trying to succeed can really help encourage a growth mindset. When first introducing a virtual game, educators should tell students that they should expect to experience failure and have times when they must go back and start over. This will go a long way in coaching students to think about negative outcomes as an opportunity to improve, rather than a message about failure. Using video games in this context can significantly help instil a growth mindset among students and can contribute to creating a positive, safe, and inclusive classroom environment where mistakes are viewed as stepping stones to success.

If you're interested in learning more about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, check out this short clip!