Arel Moodie, in his TED talk “The Secret to Student Success”, debunks several beliefs about what it takes to be successful.
Choose one point he makes that you could argue. Explain. Choose one point he makes that you definitely support. Explain. Give specific examples from your experience, if possible.
I had a hard time finding something to argue with, but the one thing that stands out is when Arel was saying he is not smart. He was very smart in the fact that he figured out what works for him. And it was through the effort that he put into his studies. He overcame his hardships and the demons that were telling him that he wasn't good enough. In my book, that is smart! We are going to come across students who are going to have that exact viewpoint of themselves that we can encourage and help them overcome and realize their worth. Effort is Everything. I firmly believe this statement. You can be the "smartest" person out there, but if you don't put forth effort, you will struggle and possibly fail. We can be the examples for our kids and we can also teach our kids about effort.
ReplyDeleteAs many have commented on, there are not really any points to disagree on. However, one point he makes that I could argue is the idea that anyone can succeed if they simply work hard enough. I agree that effort is extremely important, but I think there are still barriers that can make success harder for some students than others, such as lack of support at home, mental health struggles, or needing to work outside of school. I have taught students who have strong work ethics but are juggling sports, jobs, and family responsibilities. Even when they try their best, it can still be overwhelming. So while effort is key, I think access to support systems also plays a big role in success.
ReplyDeleteA point he makes that I definitely support is that students succeed most when they are actively engaged in what they are learning. When students feel connected to the material, they naturally want to try harder. I’ve noticed this in my own experience: in classes where the teacher makes learning interactive, through labs, projects, or discussions, it feels easier to stay motivated. I am a science teacher and try hard to include all of these options but could walk down the hallway to another science room where kids have disengaged with the conet as it is extremely boring But in classes that rely only on lectures or worksheets, it’s harder to care, even if the topic is important. Moodie’s point that “showing up and participating” leads to success feels true, because the more involved you are, the more you get out of the experience.
Support: Growth mindset is the way to success. This is something I used on the first day of school every year with all my students. We talked about the difference between growth mindset and fixed mindset. We talked about the different ways of thinking, different ways of communicating with that thinking and how to be successful. This is something I referred back to and did activities with throughout the entire year and students always remembered.
ReplyDeleteArgue: Effort is everything. I agree with this to a point, but there is a part of it I don't agree with. Yes, a person can have all the talent and can be smart and if they don't apply themselves then it doesn't matter. But, a person can also not have much talent and not be very smart and put all the effort they have in and it can still not be enough for certain things. Even if they try their hardest and put in all the effort they can, they still might not be able to cut it (for certain things).
I agree with what Arel Moodie says regarding effort being more important than natural talent or intelligence when it comes to success. I also believe that having natural talent or intelligence combined with effort makes an naturally easier formula for reaching success. I appreciate how he shares that success isn’t reserved for the “smart” or the naturally gifted; it’s built through consistent effort and perseverance. I believe that as well. His story about putting his mind to succeeding in college and deciding to “outwork everybody” really resonates with me. It’s a reminder that determination, resilience, and the willingness to keep pushing forward can equate success. In my experience, I see students who may not be the most academically talented achieve incredible growth and accomplishments simply because they are willing to try, learn, and keep going despite the challenges they face.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me deeply sad to hear about the pain he felt when he thought he wasn’t smart or talented enough, to the point where he questioned his own life and even considered taking it. His father’s message, that we are given the problems we are meant to overcome, and that success is on the other side of effort, is so incredibly powerful. It reminds me how critical it is to support students emotionally, reinforce the growth mindset, and to help them see that their effort matters and can lead to outcomes they might not have ever dreamed of.
While I honestly don’t find much in his talk that I would disagree with, I would note that success and opportunities may look slightly different for some students depending on their home support, access to resources, and other circumstances they may face. Recognizing those differences is important, but the principle that effort drives success remains true. Lastly, I appreciate how he ends with the idea that we can create opportunities we didn’t know existed. This statement reinforces that success is not fixed, and persistence can open doors in ways we can’t always predict.
I am one of those people who put in a lot of time and effort in my studies. I would always re-read information and/or have my mom answer questions and study with me when she had time. I found that the constant review helped the information I was learning stay with me in a way that worked for me. My mom would use her time to help me become successful. I used this strategy at college, too. Writing labs, science labs, math labs all saw me at some point in time. I wanted to make sure I had the concept that I was to know and understand.
ReplyDeleteI was successful in music and used that success in the classroom. I LOVED playing the saxophone and would practice everyday. I remember getting to a point that I needed more lessons to continue my playing and my parents contacted a university and I was able to take lessons from a professor each week. I kept playing and learning. Although I never made All-State Band, it did not stop me from playing and in college I received first chair and continued my journey. I used this as a way to earn a music minor.
I agree that effort is a huge component in success but there are some students who can give all that they have and not be successful in some area due to lack of resources or support or other struggles they may have such as a learning disability, mental health concern or juggling many different classes, sports, job. I know that I had all the support from family, but would never have become a doctor no matter how much effort I put into it. My interest in science and math were not at the level needed and that is the reality. We can help students understand they need to work hard and persevere but it may not always lead to what they thought would happen and that means turn another direction and that is okay.
I so enjoyed this TED talk! I couldn't agree more with his message. I've been telling my students {and my kids} this for years. "Grades aren't about how smart you are, but rather about how much effort you give." 100% While intelligence plays a role, grades often reflect a student's willingness to follow instructions, manage time, and work consistently.
ReplyDeleteSome students are given a gift where they don't need to study as much. Other students have to study more. But it is knowing yourself and knowing which you are. As he says, "anything worth doing, takes time."
As others have said, it's hard to argue anything... but when he says "whether you're not good at it, with the right amount of effort, you become good at it..."
Effort is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for high level success. While effort is required to develop any skill, the ceiling of that skill is influenced by a lot of things that may beyond there control.
The point of his message "Effort is Everything", I both agree and dis agree on this point. I think you must have all three to achieve your goals and to be successful; you must be smart, talent, and putting forth the effort to become successful. In order to be successful in life you must have all three, but I think putting in the effort is the most important part of the formula. I think a person that wants to be successful must be somewhat smart and talented, but if they do not put the effort into success, they will never reach their goal in life. I know a lot of people who are smart enough to pass the test without doing the work and some others that the subject matter comes easy to them, but without the effort they will not be successful. In school I was never the smartest kid, nor even the most talented child, but if I wanted something in life I would work very hard on achieving the goal that I set in front of me.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I heard was that he was told that is not "smart". I absolutely disagree with this, and once again this brings up our social emotional well being of all of our students. A student should never be told this, we are there daily to provide a meaningful and rigorous education to each student. These harmful comments, as the speaker shared made him second guess his life. We as educators need to be mindful of our words and actions, as we see students struggling touching base with the school counselors, the families and administration to further look into supports available. I do agree with Effort is everything to an extent, Effort has the ability to show the students is engaged and trying to their ability. Effort shows progress, which as teachers recognize the student might not have mastery yet but they are working towards it. When effort is shown, it also shows willingness from the student to accept help whether the help be in class, or outside help with before school and lunch time RTI help and even after school help. We as educators are great examples for our students by showing up, providing additional creative ways to teach a lesson, recognizing when our students are struggling and acknowledging and providing supports, and being consistent.
ReplyDeleteArel Moodie, in his TED talk “The Secret to Student Success”, debunks several beliefs about what it takes to be successful.
ReplyDeleteChoose one point he makes that you could argue. Explain.
Having smarts and talents AND EFFORT are the people who tend to be the most successful. He didn't really touch on that point :)
Choose one point he makes that you definitely support. Explain. Give specific examples from your experience, if possible
Effort is everything! Absolutely true. It goes back to the "one more round" point. Also, there might be days, weeks, months, and even years before you stand back up after failures or set-backs. Mine was my parents divorce. I still haven't recovered from that one event when my dad sat me and my brother down to explain that he will no longer be living with us. I truly never have recovered from that event 55 years ago. I loved my dad and my mom, but he was an alcoholic - true and it was embarrassing at times, but he was also an amazing dad in so many regards. But life moves on and I've learned that - really, nobody cares about that and that I had to move forward and build my own life. Jesus made the difference in Jr. high for me. Turned me around and learned what love really is.
One point I would argue is the idea that if you simply work hard enough, you will succeed. While hard work is important, many other factors can affect a person’s opportunities and outcomes. Depending on things like socioeconomic status, race, gender, sexuality, religion, and access to resources can encounter barriers that make success more difficult for individuals. From my experience in education, I have seen how differences in resources, support systems, and opportunities can impact students’ learning and growth.
ReplyDeleteOne point I definitely support is the idea that a growth mindset contributes to success. When students believe they can improve through effort and practice, they are more willing to try new things and persist through challenges. In my classroom, I often see students develop confidence when they realize they can learn a skill over time, even if it is difficult at first. Encouraging a growth mindset helps students view mistakes as part of the learning process rather than something to fear.
ReplyDeleteArel Moodie, in his TED talk “The Secret to Student Success”, debunks several beliefs about what it takes to be successful.
Choose one point he makes that you could argue. Explain. Choose one point he makes that you definitely support. Explain. Give specific examples from your experience, if possible.
Argue- There really wasn't much that I can argue, because I really do believe in the growth mindset. In my school district we always try to add in the word "yet". The power of yet is so important. When a student says, " I can do this" your response can be, "No, you just aren't able to do it yet, but with practice and effort you can!". Really, I don't have anything to argue with in this video.
Definitely Support- You do not have to be smart to be successful. I completely agree with this! Honestly, I was never the smartest student in my class. I was a little above average. I was so nervous going to college, mainly because I didn't think I was smart enough for it. However, I had one professor that said on the first day of class, "it doesn't matter how smart you are. If you put in your best effort you will not fail this class". Oh boy, did he get my attention! I knew I was not the smartest, but I knew I could be the hardest worker! I worked so hard and passed his class with an A. I felt like from then on, in all of my classes, my mindset was changed. I kept telling myself to just work hard and I will be fine. I do think this is something that our students need to hear more of. I think a lot of students "don't feel smart", so they give up. They need to know that effort and hard work will carry them far. Sure, they may not be engineers when they get older, but I truly believe that if they want something bad enough, with hard work they can achieve it.
I didn't agree with him when he said he isn't smart or talented. I feel bad that he felt so low, to the point of thinking about ending his life to take the pain away that he was feeling. I agree that effort is a huge part of success, but depending on the situation, I feel that you need some talent and some knowledge (smarts) about what you're trying to achieve. I have worked with some students that put so much effort into their school work, and they just can't catch on to a concept, even after many attempts to differentiate instruction for them. But I do agree that you have to put effort into everything you do, to be successful. I do think that opportunities will arise for you to take advantage of, if you are intentionally seeking them. You can't give up, and you have to believe in yourself, and you will eventually see the possibilities of things you didn't even think were possible for you to achieve. I agree that a new big house and a nice new car isn't success. To me success is working hard, being the best person you can be, treating others with respect, facing your problems and asking for help, and always believing in yourself. Success isn't just making a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteEffort is everything…. Would be one that I would argue isn’t always the secret to a student’s success. There are students that are born with disabilities that are obstacles to their success and no matter how much effort they put forth, they may never be completely successful. For those students we need accommodations and modifications to help them maneuver the expectations in education and in many aspects of life.
ReplyDeleteOne point that he said that I would absolutely disagree with was that he when he was younger, he was told he was not smart. This is something I disagree with for many reasons, one being that no child should ever be told that in their lives. All students are smart. It's how we as educators can help support them and build them up each day to emphasize their knowledge. Another reason why I don't agree with this is because of where that led him with having those thoughts that he thought everything would be better if he wasn't here. Everything that we as educators say to students has an effect on them and they remember it. Talking down to students and telling them in some way or another that they're not enough contributes to our current social/emotional wellness issues that we are seeing with children in k-12 schools right now. Instead, we need to lift them up daily, provide them with a safe environment and show them we care and want them to succeed.
ReplyDeleteAn area that I agree with is when he stated that effort is everything, because it truly is. If we don't put forth effort in everything that we do, then we're not utilizing our strengths to our full capacity. If we put effort in as educators to tell our students to put forth 100% of their effort, then we will eventually start to see that portray throughout in the school. We may know that the students are capable, but we need to get them to believe in themselves that they are capable. That's why constantly teaching and showing them how to put forth our entire effort for tests, homework, sports, etc., can help them to grow and achieve other things in life.
Choose one point he makes that you could argue. Explain. Choose one point he makes that you definitely support.
ReplyDeleteOne point I strongly support is that a growth mindset can lead to success, and effort plays an important role in that process. I have a student who is very intelligent but often puts in little effort with his work. School has always come easily to him, but as the material becomes more challenging, he sometimes believes he cannot do certain things. We often talk about the importance of persistence and trying instead of giving up. I also remind him that asking questions and seeking help are important parts of learning.
I am not sure I agree with his statement that effort is everything. While effort is very important, I believe success comes from a combination of both effort and ability. Some students lack confidence and fear failure because they think mistakes mean they are not smart. I remind my students that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. Their ability is only a starting point, and improvement comes from the time and effort they put into their learning. I can help guide them, but I can't do it for them.
I agree with the Growth Mindset. I tell my students that we need to make Progress, not Perfection. And we need to make forward progress. I tell my students that we need to always try and grow. Often I review with my students all the progress we have made over this school year. Effort does sure make a difference, but sometimes it is not enough. Students see effort in different ways. For some students just showing up to school is effort, and for other students effort is being placed into advance classes. It is up to educators to show students what/how effort looks for each individual.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one. I found many things that I agree with. One of the things that I agree with and use currently in my second grade classroom is Growth Mindset. I teach at a Christian School so I often incorporate the biblical perspective on this as well. We cannot stay stuck in a fixed mindset. We must always have a growth mindset. There are so many life examples I explain to my students. I think this is one of the key things we can teach our students and hopefully it stays with them for life. There were not many points to disagree about but there was something about everyone can succeed if they try hard enough. I just disagree with this one. My daughter has Autism and Learning Disabilities. She tries so hard but there are just some concepts she cannot master due to her learning disabilities.
ReplyDeleteOne point Arel Moodie makes that I could argue is that student success is mostly about mindset and effort. While those things are important, I also think support at home, access to resources, and relationships with teachers play a big role. In my experience, I’ve seen students work hard but still need extra help and support to be successful. I do think growth mindset is very important. One point I definitely support is that relationships matter for student success. When students feel cared for and supported, they are more willing to learn and try new things. I see this in my classroom. When I build strong relationships with my students, they are more engaged and confident in their learning
ReplyDeleteOne argument I could make against Arel Moodie’s message is his claim that talent and natural ability are not important for success, and that effort is essentially all that matters. While I agree that effort is extremely important, I would argue that talent and prior ability can still play a meaningful role in certain contexts. For example, in academics or sports, students often enter with different starting points. In my experience as a high school teacher and football coach, I’ve seen students who may not always outwork everyone else still perform at a high level because they have strong natural skills or prior training. Effort can absolutely close gaps, but I don’t believe it completely replaces the impact of ability.
ReplyDeleteOne point I fully support from Moodie’s talk is his belief that effort is the key to improvement and success over time. He emphasizes that people are often told they must be “smart” or “talented” to succeed, but in reality, consistent effort leads to growth. I see this every day in my classroom and on the field. In history class, students who struggle at first often improve significantly when they keep revising, asking questions, and engaging with the material. On the football field, athletes who may not be the most naturally gifted often become key contributors because they commit to extra reps, extra film study, and consistent practice.
When you are told that you are not smart. I have taught many students and each one is smart in their own way. I think words are like toothpaste - once out it's hard to take back. We must always be careful to choose our words wisely. I would argue that talent and natural ability are important in the equation of figuring out who you are and what you really are meant to do. Sometimes we just need a kick in the rear to get us in a different train of thought when we are living out our own talent and natural ability.
ReplyDeleteI support that effort is a majority of our success. I have always told students that practicing music is something that is a must if they want to become good at an instrument or singing. You can't just expect to pick up a recorder and know how to play it - you have to try or put effort into understanding it and how it works and then you have to try it! Same with anything in life. My mother always said you can do anything in life you want if you work hard at it and go after it.
Arel Moodie, in his TED talk “The Secret to Student Success”, debunks several beliefs about what it takes to be successful. Choose one point he makes that you could argue. Explain. Choose one point he makes that you definitely support. Explain. Give specific examples from your experience, if possible.
ReplyDeleteOne point Arel Moodie makes that could be argued is the idea that mindset and confidence matter more than external factors like resources or environment. While mindset is clearly important, this can also feel incomplete. Not all students start from the same place. Some face challenges such as no support at home, financial stress, or fewer academic opportunities. In those cases, confidence alone isn’t always enough to overcome these barriers. For example, I’ve seen students who were motivated and believed in themselves, but still struggled because they didn’t have access to tutoring, technology, or a stable environment. So while mindset is powerful, it works best with support and opportunity.
One point he makes that I definitely support is that students need to feel seen, valued, and connected in order to succeed in school. This really resonates with me because relationships play a huge role in motivation. When students feel like a teacher truly cares about them, they are more likely to engage, put forth effort, and push through challenges that come up. I’ve experienced this both as a student and in observing others. In classes where the teacher took time to build relationships, participation was higher and students were more willing to take risks. Even something simple like remembering their interests or checking in with them can make a big difference.
He certainly has several interesting points in his Ted Talk. Like many others have mentioned I do have to disagree with the point that "effort is everything". It certainly helps and puts you in a better position than if no effort was put forth. However, I do think that are some things that regardless of the amount of effort put forth for some people, it just isn't going to happen - ie: mental health challenges, disability, financial situation, etc. Additionally what effort looks like for everyone is going to be different. Me doing my best is going to look different than my neighbor doing their best. We may be giving if all of our effort, but the outcomes are going to be different. So I think that we also have to be realistic about what is the possible outcome for the scenario. I don't think it is a good idea for educators to be setting up our students for failure and giving them false hope. This isn't to say that people shouldn't venture out and try new things and give it our all.
ReplyDeleteOne side that I do agree with is feeling that connection. If that connection is there, the desire to continue to put in the effort is going to also come and be there, too. If students don't have that connection to the content, teacher, or even other students in the classroom, they are not going to give as much effort.
In Arel Moodie’s TED Talk, The Secret to Student Success, he presents many strong points that lead to his overall belief that effort is everything. One statement I would challenge is when he says, “If it’s supposed to be, you need to put in the effort to make it happen.” While this idea can be motivating, my question is simple: how do you know if something is supposed to be or not? What does “supposed to be” even mean, and who decides that?
ReplyDeleteMy own experience comes from my high school basketball career—or lack thereof. I enjoyed basketball and worked at it consistently, both on and off the court. Although I wasn’t as naturally talented as many of my classmates, I did put in the effort. It was something I was passionate about, and I loved being part of a team. However, right before my sophomore year, my basketball coach called me into her office and told me she didn’t think I was dedicated enough to continue playing. She suggested that I become a team statistician instead.
My heart broke into a million pieces. Even 25 years later, I can still remember her words and exactly how I felt in that moment. This experience leads me to question: who gets to decide what is “supposed to be”? I don’t want to give that coach the power to define my path, but the reality is that she did have a lasting impact. I lost not only respect for her, but also my self-esteem and my willingness to continue putting effort into basketball. Is that how it was supposed to be? Or was I supposed to find a way to prove myself? Her decision was final, and I was cut from the team.
That said, there is one idea from Moodie’s talk that I fully support: effort is everything. In my second-grade classroom, I can clearly see which students are putting in effort and which ones need more guidance and motivation. However, there is a fine line in how you address effort—or the lack of it—because I would never want to damage a student’s confidence by misjudging their situation.
I always tell my students that as long as they come into my classroom and give their best effort for that moment or that day, I will be proud of them, regardless of their performance on an assignment. When I notice a student struggling or tempted to copy a neighbor’s work, I remind them that I would rather see them get every question wrong on their own than get them all right by cheating.
True effort can be recognized, but it’s important to remember that effort looks different for each person. Likewise, each individual’s drive to succeed is unique.
One point I would argue with is that talent and skill and being smart don't matter as long as you have effort. For one, I think Arel is smart because he figured out that he could put effort in to learn the things that he needed to. Second, I could put all the effort in and still not become a professional athlete. Some of that is a God-given ability. Yes, you can acquire skills and get better at things, but I think there are limits to certain things based on natural talent.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that effort can overcome a lot of things. You can get better at many things and outperform others by putting in more effort. If you work hard enough at something, you will get better at it. I think effort weighs more than ability. As a coach, give me an athlete who works hard over someone with natural talent who doesn't put in much effort. That effort will carry that individual along way.
As a former college runner, I put in a lot of miles, nad my effort allowed me to run in college. I was still not the most talented, but I was willing to work hard for my spot on the team. I think ability can still take you places, but effort can carry you a long way too!