Learning About Strengths
Introduction
The following information about Strengths Based Learning is consolidated from the work of Clifton StrengthsFinder, Marcus Buckingham, Tom Rath, Jennifer Fox, and Gallup Youth Development specialist.
The following information about Strengths Based Learning is consolidated from the work of Clifton StrengthsFinder, Marcus Buckingham, Tom Rath, Jennifer Fox, and Gallup Youth Development specialist.
Benefits of Strengths
- Connects to what students already have inside them.
- Builds on their prior experiences and success.
- Generates positive emotions.
- Emphasizes a relational context and interdependence.
- Fosters a sense of competence and confidence.
- Generates motivation in students and motivation is fuel for the quality of effort.
Before Using Strengths
The traditional way in working with students is to spend most of the time in areas of weakness in order to achieve. The problem is that the weakness in the skill will improve to an average level but will not produce excellence. The student will improve but draws on a lot of effort and energy to succeed.
It does not tap into student's motivation or lead the student to engagement.
We often hear how students do well when they are interested in the topic but it is "like pulling teeth" when they have no interest.
Our biggest challenge facing us as educators is how to engage our students and foster in them a love of life time learning.
The traditional way in working with students is to spend most of the time in areas of weakness in order to achieve. The problem is that the weakness in the skill will improve to an average level but will not produce excellence. The student will improve but draws on a lot of effort and energy to succeed.
It does not tap into student's motivation or lead the student to engagement.
We often hear how students do well when they are interested in the topic but it is "like pulling teeth" when they have no interest.
Our biggest challenge facing us as educators is how to engage our students and foster in them a love of life time learning.
What are Strengths and Talents
Talent x (Knowledge + Skills) = StrengthsTalents are naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied. They are predisposed.
Strengths are those activities that make you feel strong. They are what you are good at but also what gives you energy to what you will put forth extra effort.
Knowledge and skills are from the effort or investment we put into our talents.
Strengths then are developed.
"Individuals gain more when they build on their talents, than when they make comparable efforts to improve their area of weakness." Clifton & Harter 2003
"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?" Ben Franklin
Talent x (Knowledge + Skills) = StrengthsTalents are naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied. They are predisposed.
Strengths are those activities that make you feel strong. They are what you are good at but also what gives you energy to what you will put forth extra effort.
Knowledge and skills are from the effort or investment we put into our talents.
Strengths then are developed.
"Individuals gain more when they build on their talents, than when they make comparable efforts to improve their area of weakness." Clifton & Harter 2003
"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?" Ben Franklin
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Your Child's Strengths: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Jennifer Fox
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