Learning Through Problems and Struggles

Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud

“Neuroscientists have found that mistakes are helpful for brain growth and connectivity and if we are not struggling, we are not learning. Not only is struggle good for our brains but people who know about the value of struggle improve their learning potential.” (-Jo Boaler) Creating student’s understanding of the value of struggle and creating a psychologically safe environment for that struggle is a teacher’s task. We need the same safe environment for teachers to collaboratively tackle the problem and struggles in student learning.
Read Jo Boaler's article, "Why Struggle Is Essential for the Brain- and Our Lives" here.
Watch the Edutopia video, "What Makes Productive Struggle Effective" here.
Watch Robert Kegan's "The Evolution of Self" here.