Building a Growth Mindset with Formative Feedback

3 August 2025

Introduction

Ever felt stuck, like no matter how hard you try, you just can’t improve? That frustration often stems from having a fixed mindset, where you believe your abilities are set in stone. On the flip side, a growth mindset is all about believing that intelligence and skills can be developed with effort and persistence.

But here’s the real game-changer: formative feedback. Unlike grades or scores, this type of feedback focuses on improvement rather than judgment. It’s about guiding the learning process, helping students (or anyone, really) shift their mindset from "I can't do this" to "I can't do this... yet!"

In this post, we’re diving deep into how formative feedback fuels a growth mindset and why it’s essential for learning, skill-building, and personal development.

Understanding Growth Mindset

The concept of a growth mindset was popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck. In simple terms, it’s the belief that intelligence and talents aren’t fixed traits but can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

| Growth Mindset | Fixed Mindset |
|---------------|--------------|
| "I can improve with effort." | "I am either good at this or I’m not." |
| Embraces challenges | Avoids challenges |
| Views failure as a learning opportunity | Sees failure as proof of incompetence |
| Uses feedback to improve | Takes feedback personally |

A growth mindset brings confidence, resilience, and motivation, which are key to success in any field. But how do we foster it? This is where formative feedback comes in.

What Is Formative Feedback?

Formative feedback is all about guidance rather than judgment. Unlike summative feedback (which comes at the end of a course as a final grade), formative feedback happens throughout the learning process. It acts as a GPS—helping learners know where they are, where they need to go, and what adjustments they need to make to get there.

Key Characteristics of Formative Feedback

- Ongoing: Happens regularly, not just at the end of a project.
- Actionable: Provides specific steps for improvement.
- Encouraging: Focuses on growth rather than failure.
- Personalized: Tailored to the learner’s current level and needs.

Imagine learning to play the guitar. If someone just gives you a final grade after a recital, that’s summative feedback. But if they guide you through each lesson, pointing out where you can improve and celebrating your progress, that’s formative feedback—and it makes all the difference.

How Formative Feedback Builds a Growth Mindset

1. Shifting Focus from Outcomes to Progress

Many learners are conditioned to chase grades rather than knowledge. Formative feedback reframes success—it’s no longer about getting an "A" but about getting better.

For example, instead of saying:
"You got 60% on this test."

A teacher using formative feedback might say:
"You’ve improved in problem-solving, but let’s work on breaking down equations step by step."

See the difference? The focus is on progress, not just results.

2. Encouraging Perseverance Through Constructive Criticism

Ever received vague feedback like "Good job!" or "Needs improvement."? That doesn’t help much, does it? Effective formative feedback gives detailed, constructive suggestions.

For instance, a writing teacher might say:
"Your argument is strong, but adding more real-world examples will make it even more persuasive."

This motivates the learner to keep improving instead of just feeling "good" or "bad" about their work.

3. Reducing Fear of Failure

People with a fixed mindset often see failure as proof that they’re not good enough. Formative feedback rewires this thinking by treating mistakes as learning opportunities.

Instead of:
"This is wrong."

A better approach is:
"This part is incorrect, but let’s look at why and how you can improve it."

Mistakes aren’t dead ends; they’re stepping stones. This approach makes learners feel safe to take risks, which is crucial for their growth.

4. Promoting Self-Reflection and Independence

Good formative feedback doesn’t just come from teachers; it encourages students to analyze their own progress. When learners ask themselves:

- What am I doing well?
- Where can I improve?
- What strategies can I try next?

They actively participate in their own learning, making them more independent and confident.

Strategies for Providing Effective Formative Feedback

So, how do we make formative feedback truly empower learners? Here are some practical strategies:

1. Be Specific and Actionable

Vague feedback doesn’t help. Instead of saying, “Your essay needs improvement,” say:
"Your introduction is strong, but make your thesis statement more specific."

2. Use the “Glow and Grow” Approach

- Glow: Highlight what the learner did well.
- Grow: Offer constructive steps to improve.

Example:
"Your conclusion is powerful (glow), but let’s work on making your main arguments clearer (grow)."

3. Encourage Peer Feedback

Sometimes, hearing feedback from classmates feels less intimidating than from a teacher. Engaging in peer review allows students to learn from each other while practicing giving and receiving feedback.

4. Provide Feedback in Different Formats

Not all students respond well to written feedback alone. Try:
- Verbal feedback (quick check-ins)
- Video/audio feedback (more personal)
- Hands-on demonstrations (especially for subjects like art, music, or science)

5. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Achievement

Instead of praising talent ("You’re a natural at math!"), praise effort and strategy:
"I love how you tried different methods to solve this problem!"

This reinforces the idea that success comes from effort, not just innate ability.

Final Thoughts

Building a growth mindset isn’t about magically believing "anything is possible"—it’s about understanding that progress takes effort, feedback, and persistence.

Formative feedback transforms learning. It encourages progress over perfection, helps students see failure as feedback, and ultimately builds confidence and independence.

So whether you’re a teacher, a student, or just someone looking to improve, remember this: With the right feedback, growth isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.