Teaching Habits of Mind to History Students

The article explores the impact of doing historical research on the critical thinking and analytical skills of college students. The author reflects on the trend of academic specialization and professional development for scholars. Emphasis is given to the diversity of experiences of history students and their engagement with the archive.

The article explores the impact of doing historical research on the critical thinking and analytical skills of college students. The authors reflect on the trend of academic specialization and professional development for scholars. Emphasis is given to the diversity of experiences of history students and their engagement with the archive.

Habits of Mind Why College Students Who Do Serious Historical Research Become Independent Analytic Thinkers

College Spotlight: Fullerton College

Last October, Fullerton College’s Student Success Committee Habits of Mind workgroup hosted a Habits of Mind Roundtable Discussion featuring speakers from a wide variety of disciplines and areas sharing how they are using Habits of Mind in their professional practice. The event enjoyed a robust faculty and staff attendance along with students from Intro to Psychology, Stress Management P.E. and Administration of Justice classes.

fullerton2Presentations were made by faculty representing six different divisions, including the following disciplines: Business/Marketing, English, Chemistry, Physical Education, Political Science, and Printing. The presentations showed a variety of ways to use Habits of Mind in the classroom.

Likewise, classified staff from the Career and Life Planning Center and the Academic Support Center discussed how Habits of Mind helped them support students more effectively. In addition, a student shared the ways she has practiced persistence through incredible challenges. fullerton3

Throughout the event, discussion was enthusiastic and engaged, with lots of ideas shared about what participants were taking away from the conversation. Event organizers are planning for ongoing collaborative learning opportunities and many students asked to be informed of future events.

fullerton3

Cultivating a Growth Mindset

Habits of Mind LogoThis fall we are excited to offer a new professional learning opportunity, Cultivating a Growth Mindset, for Southern California Community Colleges (training will be repeated Fall 2015 for Northern California Community Colleges).

Mary-Jo and Miguel  Mindset trainers, Mary Jo Apigo (West LA college) and Miguel Powers (Fullerton College) will deliver training to six college teams, representing 17 different disciplines, from:

  • College of the Canyons
  • Fullerton College
  • Glendale College
  • Irvine Valley College
  • LA Pierce College
  • LA Southwest College
  • Santa Barbara City College
  • West LA College

 The professional learning opportunity provides:

  • Mindset training sessions on August 15, September 19, and October 10 (2014) at locations in Southern California.
  • Expert facilitation and modeling of Growth Mindset activities for the classroom.
  • Interactive opportunities to practice activities, generate ideas for classroom applications and ask questions.
  • Opportunities to pilot and report on six 20-minute Growth Mindset activities within their respective target classes.
  • Collection of data (both student and faculty) to assess the impact of Growth Mindset activities.

Join us to learn more at the Strengthening Student Success post-conference session – Cultivating Growth Mindset – on October 10, 2014.