The Impact of a Mathematical Mindset Approach on Learning

Since the introduction of Carol Dweck’s landmark work in mindset, many scholars have studied the impact of a change in mindset on learning, behavior, and health. National and international large-scale studies have validated the consistent correlation between learners developing a growth mindset (knowing that they can learn and improve) and performance on learning outcomes and longer-term learning behaviors. Whilst mindset interventions can have a positive impact on student learning, recent years have shown the need for more than a change in messaging. For widescale and lasting improvements in mathematics learning, messages need to be specific to mathematics, and delivered through a change in teaching approach, with mindset ideas infused through teaching practices and through assessment. This paper shares the evidence on the need for a “mathematical mindset” approach and the wide scale benefits that the approach promises to bring about.