We often hear from educators that today’s students are more risk-averse and hesitant to embrace challenges, whether due to fear of failure, external pressures, or the comfort of familiar learning patterns. This year’s seminar series looks into why some students are hesitant to tackle challenges and how their experiences influence their expectations about learning. We explore research-based approaches and activities designed to shift student mindsets and foster resilience. Welcome to this three-part podcast series where we explore ideas that can strengthen student resilience and internal motivation. Our first podcast discusses how today’s climate contributes to why some students resist taking risks. Our second podcast focuses on creating an environment that fosters resilience. Our third podcast explores teaching techniques and assignments that encourage students to take risks.

Challenging Today’s Students to Take Academic Risks

Why are today's students increasingly averse to taking academic risks, and how can educators help them overcome this challenge? This podcast dives into the root causes, from the lasting impacts of COVID-19 to economic uncertainties to the pressure of standardized testing. We’ll discuss current trends in student behavior and share strategies for addressing risk-averse behaviors. By fostering resilience and presenting education as a journey of discovery, we can encourage students to step out of their comfort zones.

Creating a Learning Environment that Fosters Resilience

How can instructors create an environment that fosters resilience? This podcast explores the non-cognitive factors that promote motivation and resilience, focusing on how students’ beliefs about themselves, their feelings toward school, and their self-regulation skills shape their learning experiences.

We discuss how fostering a growth mindset can redefine failure into a valuable opportunity for growth, empowering students to embrace challenges and take academic risks. We’ll share practical strategies for modeling positive risk-taking behaviors and discuss assessment techniques that encourage students to step outside their comfort zones.

View the slideshow presentation for this discussion. 

Practical Applications for Encouraging a Growth Mindset and Risk-taking

Encouraging students to take risks on assignments and activities can be a real challenge in an environment where students are so focused on getting an “A.” Research has shown that there are practical applications that faculty can use to help students develop a growth mindset in their approach to learning. In this podcast, we discuss ways students can take risks in a format that resembles a research activity instead of a rote assignment.

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