It may be that the most important discoveries about the human brain will revolutionize the way we think about motivating students and empowering educators.
Dr Carol Dweck and her colleagues have melded psychology and science to talk about what qualities create people who are motivated, great learners and resilient in the face of set-backs. They call this a Growth Mindset. In her book, Mindset, the New Psychology of Success, Dweck discusses the facets of life in which one might have growth or fixed minded-ness. Further, she examines and coaches the reader through developing a more growth-minded approach to life in everything from education to music and athletics to relationships.

Her message speaks volumes to educators since we see a fixed mindset in many of our students and can articulate clearly how some students will not perform either because they are sure of failing, or they are afraid to take a risk and be wrong.
As educators, we can use this reasearch to be deliberate and focused in our efforts to create students who love learning, who know that mistakes are all a part of the process, who know how to use many strategies to put information in their heads (and I am not talking about just teaching them to take notes!), who bounce back quickly after a failure, who let themselves fail without thinking they aren't worthy, and who are willing (eager even) to do the practice it takes to get "good" at anything.
Are you interested in pursuing this work? Please comment or add to the discussion. How can we infuse Growth Mindsets into many facets of our instruction? We can - but it will take team work and collaboration. Would you like to work with me?