(60) Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth | TED

Transition from Management to Teaching

  • At age 27, transitioned from a demanding job in management consulting to teaching.

  • Taught seventh-grade math in New York City public schools.

  • Engaged in typical teacher tasks: creating quizzes, tests, and assigning homework.

Observations in the Classroom

  • Noticed that high IQ was not the sole indicator of student success.

  • Some students with strong IQ scores performed poorly, while some with lower scores excelled.

  • Led to reflection on the nature of learning and what drives student success.

Need for a Psychological Perspective

  • Determined that understanding motivation and psychological aspects was crucial.

  • Belief that every student could learn the material with enough effort and time.

Shift to Psychology

  • Left the classroom to pursue a graduate degree in psychology.

  • Focus of research: "Who is successful and why?"

Research Contexts and Findings

  • Conducted studies in various settings:

    • West Point Military Academy: Investigated predictors of cadet retention.

    • National Spelling Bee: Analyzed which children advanced further.

    • Rookie Teachers: Studied teacher retention and effectiveness in challenging environments.

    • Private Companies: Evaluated salespeople's job retention and earnings potential.

Key Characteristic of Success: Grit

  • Grit defined: Passion and perseverance towards long-term goals; stamina to continue striving.

  • Emphasis on viewing life as a marathon, necessitating ongoing commitment and hard work.

Study of Grit in Schools

  • Research conducted in Chicago public schools:

    • High school juniors completed grit questionnaires.

    • Grittier students showed higher graduation rates regardless of various factors (income, test scores, school safety).

    • Grit proves important for at-risk students as well.

Challenges in Teaching Grit

  • Significant gap in scientific understanding of how to build grit.

  • Common questions from parents and educators regarding fostering grit in children remain unanswered.

  • Acknowledged that talent does not necessarily lead to grit; many talented individuals fail to fulfill commitments.

Growth Mindset as a Tool

  • Explored the concept of "growth mindset" proposed by Carol Dweck:

    • Belief that learning ability can improve with effort.

    • Learning about the brain's adaptability helps children persevere through failures.

Call to Action

  • Need for further exploration into methods of fostering grit.

  • Proposes testing ideas and measuring success in developing grit in students.

  • Acknowledges the necessity of embracing failure as part of the learning process.

Conclusion

  • A commitment to fostering grit in children is vital.

  • Emphasizes the need for continual adaptation and resilience in educational approaches.