Work

Changing Students Minds and Achievement in Mathematics: The Impact of a Free Online Student Course

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: This study reports on the impact of a ‘massive, open, online course’ (MOOC) designed to change students’ ideas about mathematics and their own potential and improve their mathematics achievement. Many students hold damaging fixed mindsets, believing that their intelligence is unchangeable. When students shift to a growth mindset (believing that their intelligence is malleable), their achievement increases. This study of a MOOC intervention differs from previous mindset research in three ways (1) the intervention was delivered through a free online course with the advantage of being scalable nationwide (2) the intervention infused mindset messages into mathematics, specifically targeting students’ beliefs about mathematics (3) the research was conducted with a teacher randomized controlled design to estimate its effects. Results show that the experimental group who took the MOOC reported more positive beliefs about math, engaged more deeply in math in class, and achieved at significantly higher levels on standardized mathematics assessments.

Source: Frontiers in Education

DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2018.00026

Authors: Jo Boaler, Jack A. Dieckmann, Graciela Pérez-Núñez, Kathy Liu Sun, Cathy Williams

Institutions: Stanford University, Santa Clara University

Language: English

Topic: Education, Achievement, and Giftedness

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,353