Open-Mindedness
An ability to think outside familiar boundaries and give competing perspectives a fair hearing—especially when they challenge established norms or procedures.
For educators, open-mindedness means helping students encounter differences thoughtfully, evaluate ideas on their merits, and remain willing to revise a belief when stronger evidence or reasoning emerges.
Putting Open-Mindedness Into Practice
1Include Diverse Perspectives
Deliberately select texts, cases, voices, and media that allow students to encounter experiences and interpretations beyond the most familiar viewpoint.
Examples
- Students read historical accounts or literature by authors from varied cultures and backgrounds.
- Guest speakers with contrasting views explain how they understand a contested issue.
2Think Critically About Every Side
Teach students to analyze the evidence, assumptions, strengths, and limitations of multiple viewpoints—including positions they already favor.
Examples
- Students analyze persuasion for bias, assumptions, evidence, and rhetorical technique.
- A structured debate asks students to build the strongest fair argument for a position they do not personally hold.
3Create an Inclusive Discussion Space
Set and maintain norms that allow students to question ideas without demeaning people. Minority or unconventional viewpoints should be heard without ridicule or retaliation.
Examples
- Discussion protocols distinguish respectful disagreement from personal dismissal.
- The educator responds promptly to microaggressions or language that closes down participation.
4Learn Collaboratively
Structured collaboration exposes students to different approaches and makes productive disagreement part of the learning process.
Examples
- In a jigsaw activity, students become experts on different dimensions of a topic and teach one another.
- A multidisciplinary project benefits from varied experiences, interests, and skill sets.
5Reflect on Beliefs and Biases
Help students examine where their beliefs came from, how emotion influences judgment, and where gaps in experience or knowledge may remain.
Examples
- A reflection prompt asks students to explore an immediate reaction to a controversial issue.
- A self-assessment identifies possible biases, blind spots, and unanswered questions.
6Cross Disciplinary Boundaries
Show how different fields can illuminate the same issue. Multiple disciplinary lenses can reveal assumptions hidden inside a single framework.
Examples
- A sustainable-architecture lesson integrates science, engineering, planning, economics, and community needs.
- A historical event is examined through political, sociological, and anthropological perspectives.
7Model Changing Your Mind
Demonstrate that revising a belief in response to better evidence is intellectual growth—not weakness or inconsistency.
Examples
- A teacher explains how new information changed their understanding of an issue.
- An educator openly acknowledges a mistake or knowledge gap and investigates further.
8Welcome Questions and Exploration
Make space for questions that challenge assumptions and for inquiry that extends beyond the expected curriculum.
Examples
- Class time is reserved for thoughtful questions that challenge conventional wisdom.
- Open-ended projects allow students to explore a passion or unfamiliar possibility.