In education, we often focus on learning standards and then instruction, but we often overlook the habits of mind that actually lead to academic success or failure.
Habits of mind are a composite of many skills, attitudes, cues, past experiences, and proclivities that lead individuals to value one pattern of thinking over another.
1. Learning by Doing
Taking a hands-on approach to learning is an effective way to build your skills. It also helps improve your motivation.
Low-stake quizzes are one way to promote this technique in the classroom. They do not evaluate your performance and instead encourage you to engage with the content and generate the learned information yourself.
2. Problem Solving
Problem solving, or learning by doing well, is an important skill for individuals to develop. It enables them to understand the situation and determine a solution that will work best.
Problem-solving habits involve persisting, adapting and extending one’s thinking, acknowledging different contexts and perspectives, embracing flexibility, considering potential implications, determining courses of action, and reflecting on the results.
3. Listening with Understanding
Listening is an important skill that helps you communicate better and build strong relationships. It also improves your sense of empathy.
A good listener concentrates on understanding the speaker’s words and ideas. He remembers facts only long enough to understand the underlying idea.
4. Metacognition
Metacognition, or learning by doing well, involves planning and monitoring one’s own thinking and learning strategies. It is a critical skill for intelligent people to have.
Research has shown that students with a high level of metacognitive knowledge have higher levels of self-regulation and are more likely to succeed at school. Moreover, they are more skilled at shifting their cognitive strategies for different tasks.
5. Asking Questions
When people ask questions, it demonstrates their interest in others and makes them more open to communication. It also helps them understand the unique perspectives and experiences of others, which can lead to deeper relationships.
A good question can elicit valuable information and insights, which can help you solve problems or see an opportunity. It’s important to think carefully about what you want to learn from the answer and be specific about your inquiry.
6. Patience
Patience is a skill you need to develop, especially as we grow more and more obsessed with instant gratification. It teaches you to be calmer, less stressed out, and makes you a better friend and family member.
It also benefits your mental health, reducing the stress that causes weight gain and high blood pressure. In addition, it helps you stick to your goals and improve your relationships with others.
7. Positive Mental Energy
Positive mental energy, or mental fuel, is an important aspect of mental health. When mental energy is low, you may experience brain fog or be easily distracted.
To develop a habit of mind, you need to repeatedly practice it. Having resource visuals on the wall that students can see frequently is a good way to help them form these habits.
8. Taking Advantage of Your Senses
Taking advantage of your senses can have a positive impact on your day-to-day life and work. Paying attention to the world around you can lead to better decisions, higher productivity and overall happiness.
The best way to do this is by learning to be curious about the world around you. It might take some trial and error, but the rewards will be worth it in the long run.
9. Self-Assessment
Self-assessmentssss, or learning by doing, is a great way to develop and improve your own skills. It also promotes a sense of ownership and control over the process.
There are many ways that teachers can encourage students to do this, including giving them the tools and resources they need to self-assess. These include journaling, peer review, and guided self-assessment.
10. Empathy
A major component of the habits of mind is empathy. Using this skill can help you build stronger relationships with your family, friends and coworkers.
Empathy is the ability to imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes and feel their feelings. This can be done through cognitive, emotional and compassionate empathy.