Learning guidance with warm encouragement
by Dr. Laine Bradshaw, PhD, Vice President of Classroom Solutions, Pearson
Why encouragement matters in learning
Imagine a student who sees a 65% on their test. What does that number teach them? For many students, the answer is: not much. And for too many, that number reinforces a damaging belief—that they’re not good at learning. That’s what we set out to change.
How we communicate learning shapes how students see themselves as learners. Eight years ago, I founded Navvy with a mission: to help teachers teach and students learn in ways that are both successful and healthy. We created a formative classroom assessment system that gives instant feedback that is specific, accurate, and encouraging so students know what they’re learning and how they’re growing.
In K–12 education, students aren’t just learning facts—they’re also learning how to learn. Academic content standards provide the foundation, but thriving as a learner requires:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Perseverance in the face of challenges
- Confidence in their ability to grow
Beyond acquiring knowledge, we want to help students develop a mindset that sets them up for success as lifelong learners—a mindset that values effort, persistence, and self-belief.
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