In Dr. Destin’s presentation, I was quite surprised by the subtleties of the Asset vs Control messages and the significant outcomes especially in students’ persistence of spending more time working at problems.  If our words are that impressionable that it alters their sense of self, self confidence, and acceptance; we have no choice but to adopt those messages and convey them accordingly. We as educators all know the value of diversity but we do not openly declare it as an asset.   I definitely will add a note on the first day of class as well as in the announcements. I will take more time to intentionally embed the message of students’ diversity and their contribution. It will be on my syllabus.

From Dr. Cromley’s presentation, I may shift my syllabus to address learning first. Although I generally place the most ‘interesting’ content in beginning of the semester, the differences between higher and lower learning skills may better serve students if addressed in the first lectures.