Comments on: The First Step Is Failure http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/ Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health news Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:12:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Alvaro http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-140586 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:40:48 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-140586 Hello Pat and Angevahn: thank you for adding your perspectives and experiences! Hello Pat and Angevahn: thank you for adding your perspectives and experiences!

]]> by: Angevahn http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-140339 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:03:40 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-140339 I agree that this is a great story, and interesting comments too. As a Master Facilitator with The Virtues Project I pass on to others 5 simple strategies for developing authentic self-esteem - a positive and realistic sense of self that comes from within, that is internalised. Giving children feedback regards the character traits they exhibit and guidance as to what other character traits are required is a powerful tool for developing mastery within children. They all have these traits - as do we - however, they may never have been asked to show diligence (as opposed to working harder), acknowledged for their perserverance or been called to practise excellence. We do our best by children in believing they are capable, being realistic as to what the current situation is, and being able to inspire them and empower them to grow from there. In the end, we want more kids like those described - with the internal resources to pick themselves up after a failure - whether that is with education learning, or life learning, be able to grasp what change in behaviour / attitude is required, and get back in there. I agree that this is a great story, and interesting comments too. As a Master Facilitator with The Virtues Project I pass on to others 5 simple strategies for developing authentic self-esteem - a positive and realistic sense of self that comes from within, that is internalised. Giving children feedback regards the character traits they exhibit and guidance as to what other character traits are required is a powerful tool for developing mastery within children. They all have these traits - as do we - however, they may never have been asked to show diligence (as opposed to working harder), acknowledged for their perserverance or been called to practise excellence. We do our best by children in believing they are capable, being realistic as to what the current situation is, and being able to inspire them and empower them to grow from there. In the end, we want more kids like those described - with the internal resources to pick themselves up after a failure - whether that is with education learning, or life learning, be able to grasp what change in behaviour / attitude is required, and get back in there.

]]> by: Pat http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-139218 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:59:59 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-139218 This was a great story. As a special education teacher, I see so much potential in my students but the general expectation is for them to fail so the students believe they will. I set high standards for my students and expect them to achieve, which surprises a lot of teachers, parents and students. The only not surprised is myself. It is time for all educators to get on board with this philosophy. This was a great story. As a special education teacher, I see so much potential in my students but the general expectation is for them to fail so the students believe they will. I set high standards for my students and expect them to achieve, which surprises a lot of teachers, parents and students. The only not surprised is myself. It is time for all educators to get on board with this philosophy.

]]> by: Alvaro http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-137185 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:26:37 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-137185 Dear Henry: thank you for a beautiful comment. I recently sat at a panel with Carol Dweck as she talked about her "Growth Mindset" research. What Joanne stresses, and you illustrate, is that we (learners of all ages) need to differentiate between "being a failure" and "having a failure". I agree that students need to develop authentic self esteem-the only one they will internalize, in any case. I am very curious now about your algebra method: we'll take a look at your website during the next month. And you should feel free to contribute to this blog in the same way Joanne has. Delia: thank you for your comment too. Will make sure Joanne sees it. I can imagine how this is relevant to your work in clinical psychology, especially if you practice cognitive therapy... Alex: I'd say the first step is always the first step. Why is it always hard? maybe we make it so? Dear Henry: thank you for a beautiful comment. I recently sat at a panel with Carol Dweck as she talked about her "Growth Mindset" research. What Joanne stresses, and you illustrate, is that we (learners of all ages) need to differentiate between "being a failure" and "having a failure". I agree that students need to develop authentic self esteem-the only one they will internalize, in any case.

I am very curious now about your algebra method: we'll take a look at your website during the next month. And you should feel free to contribute to this blog in the same way Joanne has.

Delia: thank you for your comment too. Will make sure Joanne sees it. I can imagine how this is relevant to your work in clinical psychology, especially if you practice cognitive therapy...

Alex: I'd say the first step is always the first step. Why is it always hard? maybe we make it so?

]]> by: Delia http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-137094 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:55:17 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-137094 Amazing to see that there are people who can see the big picture! My background in clinical psychology highlighted for me that many people prefer to lie to themselves and their children, as it's easier to do that than to face the truth that you may have to make an effort, and that you may have to change if you want a different result. Parents buy into the self-esteem delusion becasue they think it will 'hurt' their children to face the truth. I believe that many if not most of the problems that people face, not just in education, are because they can't face the truth - it's too painful, and if they do they'll have to change, which terrifies them. Wonderful that your book shows people that facing the truth is so much better than running from it. Thank you! Amazing to see that there are people who can see the big picture! My background in clinical psychology highlighted for me that many people prefer to lie to themselves and their children, as it's easier to do that than to face the truth that you may have to make an effort, and that you may have to change if you want a different result. Parents buy into the self-esteem delusion becasue they think it will 'hurt' their children to face the truth. I believe that many if not most of the problems that people face, not just in education, are because they can't face the truth - it's too painful, and if they do they'll have to change, which terrifies them. Wonderful that your book shows people that facing the truth is so much better than running from it. Thank you!

]]> by: Alex Bo http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-136990 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:59:12 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-136990 The first step is always hard even it isn't failure. The first step is always hard even it isn't failure.

]]> by: Henry Borenson, Ed.D. http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-136779 Mon, 18 Feb 2008 06:50:55 +0000 http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/02/17/the-first-step-for-academic-success-is-failure/#comment-136779 Students who believe they are failures will never get out of the failure mode. The question is how do we help them to succeed, and thereby see themselves in a new light. How do we help them to see that they are capable of achieving, and indeed that they can achieve at a high level? The school mentioned by Ms. Jacobs has determined that the students will achieve and has set up a program of needed steps to accomplish that goal. In order to accomplish that objective it needed to discard all preconceptions of what is the normal, standard high school. Once students begin to achieve, their self-esteem is enhanced, not because they are told they have abilities they do not have, but because they are seeing their progress-- they are able to begin making sense of a book they are reading, they can speak in front of a group, or they solve algebraic equations. It is best, however, to have steps in the school curriculum that can provide an early intervention and show students that they are indeed capable of achievement at significant levels. One of the best ways to accomplish this objective, that I am aware, is to provide students while in grade school with strong success in algebra, such as solving algebraic equations which look advanced. For example, solving equations such as 4x + 3 = 3x + 9 and being able to solve verbal problems which involve such equations conveys to the students in a very concrete manner that they have what it takes to succeed in academics. The Making Algebra Child's Play with which I had a key role in developing, and which are offered nationally, shows teachers how to use the Hands-On Equations program (which I also developed) to accomplish this objective. We are not able to say that student self-esteem is not important; it is critically important. However, that self-esteem needs to be based on solid accomplishment that the student sees, otherwise, as Ms. Jacobs point out, it is empty air. Students who believe they are failures will never get out of the failure mode. The question is how do we help them to succeed, and thereby see themselves in a new light. How do we help them to see that they are capable of achieving, and indeed that they can achieve at a high level?

The school mentioned by Ms. Jacobs has determined that the students will achieve and has set up a program of needed steps to accomplish that goal. In order to accomplish that objective it needed to discard all preconceptions of what is the normal, standard high school.

Once students begin to achieve, their self-esteem is enhanced, not because they are told they have abilities they do not have, but because they are seeing their progress-- they are able to begin making sense of a book they are reading, they can speak in front of a group, or they solve algebraic equations.

It is best, however, to have steps in the school curriculum that can provide an early intervention and show students that they are indeed capable of achievement at significant levels.

One of the best ways to accomplish this objective, that I am aware, is to provide students while in grade school with strong success in algebra, such as solving algebraic equations which look advanced. For example, solving equations such as
4x + 3 = 3x + 9 and being able to solve verbal problems which involve such equations conveys to the students in a very concrete manner that they have what it takes to succeed in academics.

The Making Algebra Child's Play with which I had a key role in developing, and which are offered nationally, shows teachers how to use the Hands-On Equations program (which I also developed) to accomplish this objective.

We are not able to say that student self-esteem is not important; it is critically important. However, that self-esteem needs to be based on solid accomplishment that the student sees, otherwise, as Ms. Jacobs point out, it is empty air.

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