Feedback Strategies

I liked the "Be a Mirror" article because it emphasizes the fact that we are mirrors, and challenging someone with a growth mindset almost encourages them to live up to that potential.  Whereas students who are treated with a fixed mindset, will believe in that for themselves.  It's almost like wondering what comes first, the chicken or the egg.  Do we have an innate mindset, or is it something that can be nurtured within us?  I think the idea that we can "nurture" a growth mindset into students supports that idea that positive feedback that boosts self-confidence goes much further than criticism on our faults, though there is a degree of necessity to both.  However, "The Difference Between Praise and Feedback" indirectly opposes the point made in the the previous article.  It warns us about the "inverse power of praise" and how important it is to avoid giving empty feedback, essentially just "fluff."  Rather than just saying "Nice story!" it would be more beneficial to the person to highlight something specific than to just throw out empty words.  I think as children we are groomed to crave empty praise, to the point that we don't even recognize praise that is hidden as interest.  Showing interest and trying to understand someone else's point of view is much more meaningful and requires much more effort from a person, however, sometimes we fail to recognize another person's genuine interest.  Instead, we think too highly of another person for telling us we did a great job, praise that takes no effort to throw around at one's will.  I think the goal these articles are trying to achieve is that praise is more beneficial than criticism, but it's important to not freely give out empty praise, which is just as harmful to growth as criticism.  

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