Growth Mindset in the Amish Community

I've recently had the opportunity to witness a very interesting change in the Amish community in Bloomfield, Indiana. I was last here seven years ago to work with schools that use the Waterford Early Learning software program. As teachers and I looked at usage and progress reports, I asked why some students were showing great numbers , while other sat at zero usage and zero progress. I was quickly

informed that those students were from the nearby Amish community and were educatedin publc schools, but not allowed near tech devices of any sort. They were not allowed to even watch as friends worked on a computers.

I can not pretend to be knowledgeable in the ways and beliefs of the Amish community. I am pleasantly surprised to find out, just this week, that some Amish student are now being allowed to learn and work on some devices with a few restrictions in place. The amount of tech allowed varies by student and the families follow the guidance of their Bishops. Some students are allowed to fully use devices for educational purposes. Some are allowed to use devices, but only if touch screen, while others can use devices that are not plugged into an electric outlet. In chatting with teachers and the school principal, they shared that some Amish families are now allowed vehicles, but some are not allowed to drive, so they hire someone to drive for them when needed. For the most part, most Amish families in the area still do not allow electricity in their homes, but are open to the idea of how technology can improve education and agricultural life. I'd say this is a definite nod to growth mindset within a community that historically, and still, is content to live life in the slower lane.