Habits of Mind are the characteristics of what intelligent people do when they are confronted with problems, the

resolutions of which are not immediately apparent.

Costa

Why are Habits of Mind Important in a College?

It is not enough that we provide It is notinformation; enough that we we teach skills; we want want learners to know learners towith know when what to do that to exercise those skills. information.

But rather than wanting to know what the students know--We want to know how the students react when they do not know

Successful Students have:

Self-Knowledge Self-Confidence Leadership Communication Skills Project Management Time Management Support Services

5 MINUTES
Choose

one habit of mind you see your students struggling with. Describe what that looks likehow do you know the student is struggling. In your experience, describe what the student could do to help themselves, and to struggle less.

You are MOVING

Sit next to 2-4 other people who have the same Habit of Mind identified as an area of concern.

10 MINUTES! Share your answers from the previous questions

Building the Student

Questions to Ask:

How does the student see him or herself as a learner?

Does the student believe their ability to learn is fixed or growing?

Carol Dweck

7 MINUTES
Do

You think these struggling students you work with have a Fixed or a Growth mindset? What evidence do you see that allows you to make that assumption?

Challenges when Building

Questions to Ask: How does the student react to a challenge?
What is the biggest challenge in accomplishing their goals? What keeps them motivated in their own life?

Angela Duckworth

7 MINUTES
Do

you think these struggling students you work with have Grit? What evidence do you see that allows you to make that assumption?

WE WANT LEARNERS TO BE PREDISPOSED TO BEHAVING INTELLIGENTLY AND PRODUCTIVELY WHEN CONFRONTED WITH PROBLEMS, DILEMMAS AND UNCERTAINTIES.

The whole of the college experience, inside and outside the classroom, provides the structure, learning opportunities, and reflective time to develop Habits of Mind.

10 MINUTES
What

does a learning opportunity that builds Habits of Mind look like?

The teacher?

The environment?
The learning process?

10 MINUTES Now think about the student What activities can you implement into your learning environment to help them develop this Habit of Mind you felt they were lacking.

Design:
A visual representation of what it means to teach the Habit of Mind you chose to the students you come in contact with.

Habits of Mind
Are characteristic of peak performers in all places: homes, schools, athletic fields, organizations, the military, governments, churches, or corporations. They are what make marriages successful, learning continual, workplaces productive, and democracies enduring.

Parting Thought
What

department, program, course, or even person on your campus can you connect with to help build students Habits of Mind?