What is a Learner's Mindset?

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 A Growth mindset is a mode of thinking that focuses on continuous learning rather than the final end grade or outcome (Dweck).  Students who focus on the outcome, tend to get discouraged when they meet obstacles during the process.  While those who value the learning experience, are likely to see the obstacles as challenges that are a part of learning.  The Growth minded students are likely to be more successful at  tasks in the long run.   The final grade will then take care of itself.  People with a more Fixed Mindset, give up more easily, and tend to view intelligence as being inherited & not developed over time.  It has been shown by scientists, that the brain is plastic, that is structurally changed with learning exercises—neurons are added, and new synapses are connected.    Thus intelligence is constantly evolving (Johnson).  One should dive into their curiosity to grow a Learners' mindset.   Students with a "Learners Mindset" not only do better in school, but do better in life (Harapnuik).

 

But it takes more than a positive attitude to become a vivid make up learner.     What can you do as a student to become a student with a Learners Mindset?    

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1. Focus on the make-up process.  What worked today?  What didn't work today?

    How can I improve the process next time.

2. Continuously strive to try new ways of doing things

3. Hang out with like-minded artists...ask questions about their processes

4. Set reasonable, achievable small goals. 

5. Read a variety of different makeup books and articles.  Take a masterclass

6. Set time apart for "playing" with new products and procedures.  Set a structured practice 

    time daily.  Focusing on one skill.  For instance— practice that liquid eyeliner every day for a        month!

7. Ask your teacher!  Sometimes we know tips and tricks with certain skills. 

​8. Make Up students are largely visual and Kinaesthetic learners, so alway incorporate   

    pictures, graphs and tables in your study notes.  Of course practice at home.  YOU do not 

    get enough practice in class.   Break practical steps down into the elements.

​9. With theory, practice retrieval throughout the day.  Chunk information into tables or charts. ​

    (Brown, Roediger, McDaniel).

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​References

 Brown P.C., Roediger III, H. L. McDaniel, M. A.,  Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning,  (2014), Cambridge, Massachusetts, ( pg 23-200), The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.​

 Dweck C.S.,  Mindset: The New psychology of success, (2006) Penguin Random House.​

Harapnuik D. K., How to change the world one learner at a time (website). Retreived from: htpps://www.harapnuik.org/?p=8515  

Johnson A.P., Essential Learning Theories.  Neurological Learning Theory, (2019),  Lanham, Maryland, (pg 9-23),  Rowman & Littlefield.

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