Resource Repository
Research-Based Tools You Can Use Tomorrow
The Challenge
You know mindset-supportive practices work. You have seen the research. But translating theory into practical classroom tools takes time you do not have—time to adapt activities, create materials, and figure out what will actually work with your students.
What if you had a curated collection of ready-to-use, research-backed resources you could download and implement immediately?
The Solution
The TBR Mindset Resource Repository is a curated collection of practical, research-based tools developed in partnership between Motivate Lab and the Tennessee Board of Regents. These resources are designed to support student persistence, motivation, and academic success—particularly for students from historically underserved backgrounds.
Every resource is grounded in rigorous research on learning mindsets and flexible enough to adapt to your course context, modality, and student population.
Why Learning Mindsets & Mindset GPS Matters
G
Growth Mindset
The belief that abilities can be developed through effort, the use of effective strategies, and help from others when needed.
P
Purpose & Relevance
The belief that one’s schoolwork is valuable because it is connected to a larger purpose and/or relevant to one’s life.
S
Sense of Belonging
The belief that one is academically and socially connected, supported, and respected.
Why Focus on Learning Mindsets? The 5 Ms
Meaningful
Related to academic success and students’ well-being
Measurable
Can be assessed and tracked
Malleable
Can be altered through targeted activities and changes in the educational context
More Effective
Learning mindset interventions can be particularly powerful and improve outcomes for students from traditionally marginalized groups (e.g., Black, Latine, Indigenous, 1st generation)
Multilevel
Can be influenced by policies, structures, and processes at all levels of a system
Research-backed. Ready to use. Built for your students.
Ready to Explore the Repository?
Faculty are invited to download materials for use in their courses. Each time you download a resource, please complete this brief form*.
*Why we ask: With support from Ascendium Education Group, TBR is tracking how many instructors and courses use these resources so we can sustain funding and continually improve our support services.
The repository includes three types of downloadable resources, each designed to support you at different stages:
Informational Overviews
Background knowledge, definitions, and research summaries. Start here to understand the theory behind mindset-supportive practices.
Practice Overviews
Introductions to specific practices—what they are, why they matter, and how they connect to research. Get oriented before implementation.
Practice Guides
Step-by-step instructions for implementing specific practices with your students. Download and use immediately in your classroom.
Grounded in Research, Built Through Partnership
All resources were developed collaboratively between Motivate Lab and the Tennessee Board of Regents, informed by learning science and higher education research. These are not generic templates—they are research-backed tools designed for real classrooms with diverse student populations.