This course will give you the tools to create a classroom setting where everyone can optimise their values and strengths by using the methods of positive psychology.

• Positive education is an approach to schooling which uses positive psychology to enhance learning by putting the emphasis on students’ individual strengths and what particularly motivates them.  In this course, we will look at how focusing on our values and personal strengths helps individuals increase their self-esteem and flourish.
• The idea of actively focusing on “the good” is at the heart of positive education. In order to achieve this, we must train our attention to notice even the smallest of successes in ourselves and our students. As we say at Smart Teachers Play More, “A little is a lot!”.  Small victories are worth celebrating!
• The more challenges or obstacles our students face, the greater their need for positive feedback. We will give you tools to help your students recognise their skills and achievements and set goals suitable and motivating for them.
• Education systems in general tend to judge or grade students on what is lacking in their academic progress instead of looking at the whole student.   Students are compared with curriculum expectations and each other instead of reviewing individual progress and skills.
• In this course, we will also show you how the Icelandic school system, in both primary and secondary, centres on individual goals within the national curriculum.  Students work and are evaluated at their own level and are not restricted to year group goals. There is also a strong focus on personal, social and practical subjects as well as academic ones.
• Activities can be used with students aged 8 upwards.