Jack, Gordon

ET, Inquiry and Problem-based Learning

Perkins-Gough, D., & Duckworth, A. (2013). The Significance of GRIT. Educational Leadership, 71(1), 14-20.  Retrieved from http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=90068941&site=ehost-live

This interview with Angela Lee Duckworth, an educational researcher from the University of Pennsylvania, is the lead story in Educational Leadership’s September issue. Grit, or “the quality that enables individuals to work hard and stick to their long-term passions and goals” (p.14), is a noncognitive skill receiving attention now as an important criteria for success in any endeavor.  Duckworth discusses her research that showed how levels of “grit” were better indicators for success at West Point Military Academy, as well as her own experience of finding and following her passions.  She emphasizes how grit is made up of two distinct qualities: 1) having resilience in the face of failure and 2) having deep commitments.  The article also discusses how schools have developed programs to help students develop grit through character education programs.

Evaluation

Schools seem to be moving away from the testing mania that emphasized cognitive abilities and  recognizing that noncognitive traits, such as grit, are an equally important measure of success. Grit, it appears, is especially important with students who struggle in school and question the value of education. As schools move to more cognitively demanding work (due to new Common Core standards), teachers must also address the character traits needed to accomplish more complex tasks.  The Big Think activities are an ideal opportunity for educators to raise the issue of grit with students and have them work on their resilience skills in the face of challenges.  This does not have to be an either/or option (i.e. either I cover my content or I attend to these noncognitive skills).  By incorporating The Big Think into unit plans, teachers can help students develop the skills they will need to be successful in the future.