Neuroplasticity and Growth mindset
Discuss how understanding the principles of neuroplasticity benefits people.
I have found many articles citing the fact that children who are taught about neuroplasticity do better in school overall. I didn’t find many articles explaining scientifically exactly why that is, so I’m assuming that it comes down to this: Children who believe that their brains are not static, and can grow and learn new skills, will do so. Or as Lisa Lionheart says “If you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything”.
Discuss how you might engage with the principles of neuroplasticity for your benefit.
What are some of the ways to increase your neuroplasticity?
According to the article “How to rewire your brain with neuroplasticity training” (find article here), Neuroplasticity training includes doing brain training games, being well rested, exercising regularly, eating right, and having a good social life. Luckily those activities are the first recommended cure for pretty much all mental and physical health problems so I don’t have to change too much.
I didn’t know about the neuroplasticity term at the time, but I learned a few years ago about how your brain will make stronger neural pathways to certain things the more you do/think about the thing. Learning about it helped in the process of overcoming debilitating depression, because, to summarize, bad thoughts become easier and more comforting to go to the more you go to them. But it doesn’t mean they’re true or permanent, it just means the neural pathway to them is really strong. I suppose Neuroplasticity is a double edged sword in that way.
But you can weaken those pathways too through not thinking or doing those things. I don’t have a good memory of how I did it but it was probably a mix of trying to learn guitar, medication, and distracting myself with TV and friends.
Link to a resource that you found particularly useful or engaging.
This was the first song I learned to play properly on guitar. It’s pretty easy if you just learn the finger position of the chords:
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/modest-mouse/bankrupt-on-selling-chords-54845
Growth Mindset
Discuss what it is and why it is relevant.
A growth mindset is understanding that your abilities and talents are not fixed, and can be improved over time through hard work and effort. It’s relevant because this course is very intense, so we need to have a growth mindset in order to keep on top of things.
In this exploration, did anything surprise you? Change for you?
I was surprised that according to these articles, the majority of people think they have finished learning and have filled their brain quota. They think like Homer Simpson in the scene on the right
How will you integrate growth mindset into your learning journey?
I will work hard, practice coding regularly, and I will take failure as an opportunity to grow.
Link to a resource that you found particularly useful or engaging.
I frequently get bogged down in too much of the same information when I search for things, so often I’ll just see if there’s a Simple Wikipedia article about it, then go from there (Change the beginning of the url from “en” to “simple”).
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindset
Blend with your learning plan and strategies
Reflect and discuss how these understandings may shape or influence your learning plan and strategy.
Understanding they’re important to neuroplasticity I won’t let intense study stop me from exercising, socialising and sleeper-ising. I will try to maintain the attitude that I can do this.
Examples
