Everything New is Hard at First

When incorporating a growth mindset in my own classroom, I always tell my students that when we learn something new, it is usually hard at first and then it gets easier, like long division. Building an eportfolio was a bit challenging for me until I got used to the ins and outs of how to do it. I'm sure as I continue to add to it, I will learn more tips, tricks, short cuts, cool widgets. It will get easier and familiar. I've modified a biography on websites and built a website on google sites last year. Website building seems like it should be a modern day life skill. I'm fortunate I'm getting the opportunity to acquire this skill.

The opposite of a growth mindset is to feel shame when we don't know how to handle the uncomfortableness of learning something new. I am really a product of the factory model and in the past I have mostly been taught how to do something before attempting to do it on my own. In this modern day digital landscape, that really isn't efficient. Teaching yourself and using youtube tutorials is empowering. I have to remind myself when students are struggling, not always to jump in and rescue, but to give them opportunities to figure things out.