MindSet Go!

"The MindSet Go! project has fulfilled its aim to create a well functioning network of schools promoting new teaching ideas and methods based on Carol S Dweck's a ""growth mindset"". The project was initiated as a reaction to the ongoing debate in media about the poor quality in education in general and decreasing test results leading to stress, lack of motivation, health problems and an increasing number of pupils who do not finish compulsory education. The MindSet Go! Erasmus+ strategic partnership involved four schools, two in-service training organisations and two associated partners with four more added during the project period. The schools were from different parts of Europe; the coordinating school in Sweden with partners in Romania, Slovenia and the French Reunion island, hence with pupils from very different backgrounds geographically, economically and culturally, facing a vast range of challenges. The collaboration involved children from diverse backgrounds, some also with special needs, learning disabilities, handicaps and/or economic obstacles. The project enabled special pedagogues and inclusion- and health teams at the partner schools to cooperate, share and develop best practice examples for inclusion. Inclusion became a natural part of the project and the added values increased learning and for an increased number of pupils to complete the compulsory school.The two experienced teacher trainers cooperated on the same theme but with a different approach:STEP Institute in Slovenia provided hands-on teacher-training to develop growth mindset ideas individually, methods for implementation in the curriculum and surveys for preparation and scientific evaluations of the project.Innovatum Science Center in Sweden provided teacher training on Brainology, active learning and workshops in science, maths and ICT.The associated partner Dr Blomgren at the Fac. Education of Gothenburg University lectured on Pupil Motivation. The project's transnational activities had a clear aim and progress from the first year's staff training via the second year teaching activities for implementation and sharing ideas in between the participating schools and work with local pupils to the short term blended mobilities involving both teachers and pupils in year three. Through this structured project layout, the project partners learned about, shared and implemented the Growth Mindset ideas of Dweck but also the concepts of Grit, Brainology, SPARK and Positive Psychology. All for the development of self-motivation and to provide students with proactive life-skills. Transnational trainings were hosted according to the partner school's focus: Reunion - sports/SPARK (transformation through positive psychology)Romania - ECO/Sustainability Slovenia - HealthSweden - Science/Maths/ICT - carried out virtually due to Covid-19Added values: Exchange of practices between colleagues and pupils of different nationalities and building fruitful networks for further collaboration.Incorporation of school sports activities with focus on a growth mindset and not only on the competitive side.The experiential approach moved the partners out of their comfort zones on all levels to develop innovative methods for a ""growth mindset"". Principals believed in their teachers' abilities and skills. Teachers worked in teams to share plans for tools and strategies needed to increase pupils' motivation, efforts and persistence for greater academic success. Pupils participated actively in the development of: learning activities assigned to promote a healthy way of activating mind and body, new teaching material, the evaluation and dissemination process and guidelines to serve as mentors for their peers. Parents supported the teachers and their children.A social constructivist approach allowed pupils and staff to co-construct a ""growth mindset"" in the school.Teachers were given the tools and strategies needed to increase pupils' motivation, efforts and persistence which lead to greater academic success. Teachers cultivated intellectual and physical activity skills through efforts and a positive attitude. The developed growth mindset focus on the process and not result or talent, helped pupils see their failure as a learning experience and the overall learning as personal growth.The MindSet Go! network's output provides material for participants in the project as well as for stakeholders and a wider audience. The open MOOC displays project activities and outcomes with downloadable activities, lessons plans, teaching methods and implementation ideas developed through the project. Local, Regional, National and International dissemination has reached a much greater number than expected.The platforms have been created to successfully live on, enable new cooperation opportunities and project ideas long after the MindSet Go project has ended. The cooperation will continue and include more partners in the newly granted project MindSetGo 2.0."