In order to change a students mindset towards learning, Hammond says that the focus has to be on “shifting mindset rather than on trying to force engagement” (Hammond, 110). This means that in order to get students active in their learning, Teachers should be more focused on trying to get students to open their minds to learning rather than giving them no choice and saying they have to learn. Shifting the mindset needs to be the main focus rather than forcing these students to be engaged because learning should be something the students want to do. If students are forced to engage in the work, it won’t allow the students to gain skills that will make them more independent. 

The four conceptual and identity frames within the brain consist of a persons sense of mastery and competence, belief in ability, belief in self, and explanatory story. These frames are related to the hippocampus and amygdala part of the brain because it draws information which is stored in the hippocampus which will send it to the amygdala. This can allow for the brain to pick and choose which learning situations to indulge in based on past patterns. (Hammond, 111). If teachers start to misinterpret cultural differences as disadvantages, it could lead to students having doubt in their ability to be successful in the classroom. This is something that will make these students have a negative mindset within the classroom and won’t allow their mind to grow. (Hammond, 110). 

Negativity bias is also something that teachers should try to avoid within the classroom. When these students face face these types of micro aggressions, it can make them feel as though they are underperforming because of their cultural backgrounds. The things that some teachers might say can be offensive to students which is why the teachers need to ensure that they are being culturally responsive. (Hammond, 112). Some of these specific micro aggressions that contribute to this negativity bias include a small verbal or type of behavior towards these students of color that can be unintentional but is directed towards a specific group of people. This could consist of always assuming that a specific group of students didn’t do their homework because of their race or background. (Hammond, 112). Mispronouncing a students name can add to this because it is considered to be a form of microinsult. This is wrong because it can be insensitive and show ignorance. A good example of this would be constantly mixing up students because you might think they “they all look alike”. (Hammond, 113). 

Teachers can help students reframe their negative mindsets by by motivating them to want to learn rather than forcing them to engage in activities. This will allow them to have an open mindset towards learning. Self efficacy is the center of having an academic mindset because it shows that a students ability can grow with the effort that they put in. This means when students start to see results, it pushes them to want to continue to grow academically and reach their goals. (Hammond, 114). 

Mistakes are something that a lot of students will experience when they go through their educational journey. In order to see the value of them, teachers need to help students reframe them in a way that lets them see they are something to be learned from. (Hammond, 15). Creating a counter narrative can also be a great strategy for students who struggle with being motivated. One way this method could be used would be the use of finding someone who you can relate to on a persona level and evaluate their accomplishments. This counter narrative can help show that you can still achieve success because you look up to or admire some who has already done it. (Hammond, 115). 

Items such as literature, poetry, images, and quotes can help to facilitate a student’s imagination because it allows students to focus on improving their emotion and cognition. The use of images especially is a great method because students can process them two times faster than reading. This will allow them to be more creative with their thinking. (Hammond, 117). The Tea Party Protocol is a method where students are able to remember important and meaningful information from a brief activity. This uses the primacy-recent effect within the brain to allow for students to connect with something personal to them. (Hammond, 117). 

Teachers can reinforce a strong academic mindset by transforming their learners from dependent to independent learners. This will allow them to take charge of their learning and want to expand on their knowledge rather than the teacher telling them to do it. In accordance with this, the backtalk strategy can be used to get rid of a negative mindset. This involves writing down negative thoughts, going over why they are not true, and then writing a positive statement to to disprove the original statement. (Hammond, 118). Another great method of trying to get students to be successful is through the use of the success analysis protocol. This could be completed by talking about successes that students have in order to promote having a strong academic mindset. An example of this could be students giving reviewing and complementing each others work. (Hammond, 118). This protocol can help to counter negative bias by allowing students to take pride in their work rather than it being criticized in a negative way. 

Telling students to “get a growth mindset” shows that the teacher is not as supportive but wants the student to grow intellectually. Teachers need to help students transition into this stage so that it shows that they do care about their growth and so they aren’t fully left on their own. This differs from helping students to shift their intellectual dialogue because this consists of helping students through the process of getting from one step to another.  

 

Hammond, Z. (2015). Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.