Kind vs. Wicked Learning Environments and the Mindsets Needed to Thrive
In his book 'Range', David Epstein talks about two learning environments, kind and wicked and the types of intelligence required to thrive in each. This is a fascinating topic and challenges some long-held views on intelligence.
If there are different environments, and they require different types of intelligence, does mindset matter too? Should we be thinking of this?
Kind vs. Wicked Learning Environments
What do these two learning environments look like?
Kind Learning Environment:
Think of a game of chess. The rules, patterns and trends are predictable. While it's challenging, the rules remain constant. Every strategy learned enhances the player's capability, knowing that the core game mechanics will never change. Every hour you spend learning and honing your skill improves your mastery of the game. You can learn new strategies, but they will always be built on an existing foundation that is now strong and solid. The ability to play chess at high levels has been synonymous with the label of 'genius' for years.
Wicked Learning Environment:
Think of this like a children's game made up on the spot. The rules are made up as they go, are constantly adapted, changed and added to. There's no verifiable way to keep score and no real skill you can learn and master. You can win today, and when you come back tomorrow and try the same techniques, you'll find the rules have changed, and you start all over again.
In this setting, predictability is thrown out the window.
Consider the difference between starting a business now versus 30 years ago. The skills required have evolved drastically, with some of the older skills becoming obsolete and newer ones, like internet marketing, coming to the forefront.
Let's face it, more and more of our world is becoming 'wicked' (Yes, we can argue that it may be wicked in more ways than one!)
The Schooling System's Role
Schools, with their structured curriculums and grading systems, are generally geared towards kind environments. Students are introduced to specific topics, tested on them, and then graded based on their performance. These require certain types of skills, some of which are memory, attention to detail, pattern and trend recognition, formulaic thinking and repetition.
As one progresses in their academic journey, the wickedness starts to seep in. At higher levels, assessments and competency requirements focus on skills, thought processes, critical thinking, and thus the skill requirements shift. Indeed, more and more, we realise that we're essentially teaching students for a world that doesn't currently exist! We have no idea what they'll be expected to do in the future, but somehow need to prepare them anyway!
It feels like we're already in this world in a lot of ways. With AI, technology and the speed and availability of not just information, but answers to problems, memory is no longer prized, anything requiring repetition is automated, and systems can pick up patterns more accurately and consistently than any human. Would someone who excels in a kind learning environment still be thought of as a 'genius'? So you can remember lots of details, who cares? I have all the information I need in the palm of my hand. So you can do calculations in your head? That's lovely, but it's really just a party trick. If you're able to constantly keep up-to-date with changing technologies, new features and functions of software with an eye to taking advantage of them to make your work easier, faster, better, find business opportunities that didn't exist yesterday? THAT'S impressive.
Different worlds. Different skills.
Implications for the 'Smart' Student
School is still heavily focussed on the skills required by kind environments. While this is clearly changing, we haven't found the right balance yet. Let's look at our students who excel in a kind school environment, and consider how they'll fare in wicked environments that they may very well find themselves in later in life.
I focus on 'smart' students here, because I feel that they have a unique challenge. In school, the messaging they're receiving is that they're smart, capable, have potential to achieve great things, will be future leaders, success stories etc. This creates expectations for themselves, and those around them. They develop an idea of how life should go, and their place in the world.
When they are exposed to wicked environments, this can be quite jarring. The skills that made them excel are no longer valuable, the things that were their strengths may now be weaknesses, and they have no foundation to build from, no textbook to learn from. Their schooling has set them up for a certain world, that might not be there. They are possibly more likely to lean towards fixed mindsets, perfectionism and feel their intelligence is static.
The Growth Mindset Advantage:
In wicked environments, a growth mindset is a game-changer. Students who believe they can develop their intelligence and skills through effort and experience are better equipped to navigate the complexities and uncertainties. They see challenges as opportunities and are more resilient in the face of setbacks. Change, new environments, new skills are more like an adventure than a threat.
Navigating Wicked Learning Environments
Assuming we, or people we know, have these challenges, what can we consider?
Embrace the Unpredictability: Accept that not everything will follow a set pattern. This acceptance can reduce anxiety and open up the mind to various possibilities.
Focus on Underlying Concepts: In wicked environments, rote learning won't cut it. It's essential to grasp the underlying concepts and be prepared to apply them in diverse scenarios.
Seek Feedback: In the absence of clear right or wrong answers, feedback becomes invaluable. Engage in discussions, seek opinions, and be open to different perspectives.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Recognize the value of effort, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. Embrace challenges and view them as stepping stones to growth.
The Role of Educators
Teachers play a crucial role in preparing students for both kind and wicked environments. They can:
Provide Diverse Challenges: Introduce students to a mix of structured and open-ended problems to develop versatility.
Encourage Critical Thinking: Instead of focusing solely on textbook answers, promote discussions, debates, and critical analyses.
Foster a Safe Environment: Create a space where students feel safe to make mistakes, ask questions, and express their opinions.
Promote a Growth Mindset: Praise effort and progress, highlight the importance of perseverance, and instil the belief that abilities can be developed.
In Conclusion
The journey from kind to wicked learning environments is an inevitable part of the educational and career trajectory. While kind environments lay the foundation, wicked environments prepare students for the real world. In this journey, the notion of being a 'smart' student evolves. It's no longer just about acing tests but about adaptability, problem-solving, and a continuous thirst for learning. By understanding and embracing both these environments, students can truly unlock their potential and redefine what it means to be 'smart.'
Comments