Many first-time online learners can feel stressed and overwhelmed. Students often expect that the online learning format is challenging and difficult. While there are unique challenges to online learning, our expectations of online learning can radically affect how we engage with the material.
One important expectation is that one’s character, skills, and intelligence can grow through challenges – also known as a growth mindset – coined by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck. Individuals who have a growth mindset embrace challenges as opportunities to develop. As such, they persist through challenges and work on mastering content and skills.
Concerning online learning, recent research shows that having a growth mindset – or having an expectation or belief – predicts greater engagement with online learning material among first-time online undergraduate and graduate students. Also, a growth mindset was important for predicting restudying information in self-guided learning, which is often the case with online learning.
Changing our mindsets and expectations about online learning may help improve our online learning experience. How might we do so?
Be well,
Louis
Dr. Louis Tay
Tay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences. He has expertise in well-being, assessments, and data science. Be sure to check back each week for another wellness tip of the week!
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