Lately I have been reading a great deal of Adam Grant, a famous organizational scientist. I've also been fascinated by Milgram, Zimbardo and many other famous psychological studies. Combine that with Sir Ken Robinson, Simon Sinek, George Courous and Kaser/Halbert and they keep returning to a central theme of "Connection."
I have been wondering about the educational implications of famous psychological studies, and this page is just a chance to look at those musings. |
Kaser and Halbert - The Spirals of Inquiry and the Rosenthal Effect
Connection for SuccesIf students have two adults who believe in them, they will succeed.
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"Bloomers" and the Rosenthal Effect The Bloomers Experiment where teachers as givers adopt the mindset naturally of the "Pygmalion Effect"
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More on PygmalionSed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusant doloremque laudantium, totam rem.
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Spirals Playbook: Spiral-Playbook.pdf (c21canada.org)
Great interviews in with the dynamic duo (Kaser/Halbert) : https://www.coursera.org/lecture/teaching-plan/interview-1-zMCRz
Great interviews in with the dynamic duo (Kaser/Halbert) : https://www.coursera.org/lecture/teaching-plan/interview-1-zMCRz
Wonderings
My wondering is that if we learned about the Rosenthal Effect because we know from Kaser and Halbert's research "if a student has two adults who believe in them, they will succeed" could we apply Adam Grant's message that we can knowingly adopt the Rosenthal effect as a general mindset in our school.
The Pygmalion effect is free. It does not require massive budget infusions. It doesn't require new resources. It has a demonstrably high impact and costs nothing - imagine if we harnessed this powerful psychological tool by internalizing it wilfully.
What would it look like if we developed a culture where we are turned our words "I believe in you" into actions (I am going to demonstrate daily that I believe in you.).
Now this is where i'm stuck. What are suggestions to forge this connection that very clearly demonstrates believing in students?
Here are some things our crew has thrown around.
Idea 1 - Visual Display
1. Put up a picture of each student on the wall in the staff room. Have every teacher initial next to a kid if they believe in them/can connect with them.
2. Identify students that don't have any initials, and have staff deliberately seek to forge a connection.
3. Meet with any staff who did not initial and determine what they need in order to assist with connection.
4. Work daily to connect with each student. Particularly the ones who did not have many initials. Have certain staff become their advocate.
5. Brainstorm with staff how we can get to that place.
Idea 2 - Weekly Check in
1. Lunches or tea with students.
The Pygmalion effect is free. It does not require massive budget infusions. It doesn't require new resources. It has a demonstrably high impact and costs nothing - imagine if we harnessed this powerful psychological tool by internalizing it wilfully.
What would it look like if we developed a culture where we are turned our words "I believe in you" into actions (I am going to demonstrate daily that I believe in you.).
Now this is where i'm stuck. What are suggestions to forge this connection that very clearly demonstrates believing in students?
Here are some things our crew has thrown around.
Idea 1 - Visual Display
1. Put up a picture of each student on the wall in the staff room. Have every teacher initial next to a kid if they believe in them/can connect with them.
2. Identify students that don't have any initials, and have staff deliberately seek to forge a connection.
3. Meet with any staff who did not initial and determine what they need in order to assist with connection.
4. Work daily to connect with each student. Particularly the ones who did not have many initials. Have certain staff become their advocate.
5. Brainstorm with staff how we can get to that place.
Idea 2 - Weekly Check in
1. Lunches or tea with students.