Brainology: A Fun and Award-Winning Program for Motivated Learning
Brainology is a fun, award-winning program that helps students gain confidence and motivation to learn. The online program uses video animations and classroom activities to teach students about the malleable brain and effective study skills. It also teaches them to cultivate a growth mindset, which leads to learning-oriented behavior and academic achievement.
About Brainology
Developed by one of the world's leading researchers in the field of motivation, Stanford professor Carol S. Dweck, Brainology is a blended learning curriculum designed to help students develop a growth mindset – the core belief that abilities are not fixed and can be developed through effort. When students adopt a growth mindset, they are more confident in their ability to learn and more resilient when facing challenges.
Why is a Growth Mindset Important?
According to research, students have two different mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. The two mindsets have significant effects on how a student learns, and they also influence whether or not they will be successful in school.
In her article, "Brainology: Transforming Students' Motivation to Learn," psychology professor Carol S. Dweck explains why having a growth mindset can make a huge difference in a person's ability to succeed in school. She points out that students who have a fixed mindset believe that they are limited in what they can learn, while those who have a growth mindset are encouraged to learn as much as possible.
The difference between the two mindsets is important because it affects how a person thinks about effort, which in turn can impact their motivation to learn. Students with a growth mindset believe that intelligence can be developed through hard work and determination, while those with a fixed mindset are discouraged by the idea that they have limited abilities.
The Impact of Brainology
Brainology is based on research by Dweck and her colleague Lisa Sorich Blackwell, and it has been used to help children in many countries worldwide. The program includes several lessons on brain basics, learning behavior, and memory. It's easy to use for both teachers and students, and it can be tailored for different learning styles.
It also offers a variety of supplemental materials to support the program, such as lesson plans and teacher resources. However, its worksheet-style approach can lead to frustration for some students.
A Growth Mindset Is Essential for Success
Dweck has spent years studying the mindsets of students, and her findings have led to the development of a wide range of programs and products designed to encourage a growth mindset in children. Dweck and her team have shown that students who have a growth mindset are more confident in their abilities, they work harder to learn new things, and they often have higher grades than their peers with fixed mindsets.
She believes that having a growth mindset can be learned, and she has published many books on the topic. Her most popular book, The Power of Positive Thinking, has been translated into several languages and is a bestseller.
