Noel E K Tan Teaching From My Strengths

Noel E K Tan, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Teachingfrom my StrengthsTM

An online workshop introducing

An Appreciative Inquiry Renewal Interventionfor Educators and

Learning and Development Professionals

World AI Conference 2009, Nepal

17 Nov 2009, 1300 hrs Kathmandu time


About Myself

I run my own consulting practice, Trailblazer Associates International, established in 2001

I am an International Association of Facilitators-Certified Professional Facilitator (IAF-CPF)

I was a high school teacher for 6 years before starting my current practice

For the past 6 years, I have also been teaching and supervising student-teachers at the National Institute of Education, Singapore.


I’ve applied AI in these settings:

Culture Development in Merger, Integration and Re-structuring settingsStrategic Planning Team-building for management teamsCoaching


Now over to you...

Tell us something about yourself:Your nameThe country you’re hailing fromThe work that you doYour intended takeaway from this workshopYour gift to the group


Scope

Working AgreementsOur Learning IntentAppreciative Inquiry...at a glanceTeaching, Learning and ReframingKey Tools


Dual Learning Intent

The Rational Aim:To share about the application of AI in a renewal intervention.


Dual Learning Intent

The Experiential Aim:

To be energised by the experience of looking afresh at our experience through a positive lens.


Our Working Arrangements

1 Conversation at a Time

Introduce yourself each time you speak, so that everyone knows who’s speaking

Any others that you might want to add?


Appreciative Inquiry...at a glance

5 key principlesNot deficit-focused


Educational Practice, Learning & Reframing

The essence of traditional educational practice: Improving by targeting weaknesses

To facilitate learning is an invitation to collaborate


Various aspects of learning theory point to the importance of positive emotions for the learner. Eg:


Robert Marzano’s Dimensions of Learning: Dimension 1: Attitudes and Perceptions

Renate and Geoffrey Caine’s 5th Principle of Brain/Mind Learning: Emotions are critical to patterning

Social-Emotional Learning & Emotional Intelligence research


If these are true for the learner, then what more for the educator?



Burnout & Disillusionment


Reframing - to change perspectives to gain new meaning

AI as a reframing tool for one’s practice as a Teacher/Learning & Development professional

Strengths-based approach



Key Questions:

What Strengths do I bring to my educational practice that make me an effective teacher?

What do I excel in when I’m teaching or training?


Key Tools

Discovery Dream DesignDestiny


Discovering the Best of What is

Focus: Bringing what’s excellent and admirable about your practice into your foreground


Discovery Questions

When you think of the Teachers/Learning & Development professionals who had a deep positive impact on you, what qualities come to mind? What emotions do you feel in your recollection? (You may include memories of your student days)


Discovery Questions

Recall 1 high-point in your time as a Teacher/Learning & Development professional that you are especially proud of. Why did you choose this high point over others? What strengths are revealed about yourself?


Discovery Questions

What do you most admire in the epeople you presently work with? (You may wish to include both your colleagues, school leaders and even your students)


Discovery Questions

When you think about being an even better Teacher/Learning & Development professional in future, what are:

your present qualities that you want to see amplified, andwhere relevant, the desired qualities you want to develop?


Dream what might be

Focus: Developing a compelling image of your ideal futureIdentify what brings you fulfillment in your role as a Teacher/Learning & Development professional


Dream what might be

Imagine and describe your ideal, most desired future state for yourself as an educator (professionally and personally)Remember the 4-5 things you do best in your role that you uncovered in the Discovery stage? Would you still be doing these in your ideal future? If so, how? If not, what other things would you be doing best?


Dream what might be

What new capacities would you have that help you do the above?Who’s with you in this ideal future?


Designing what could beFocus: Seizing opportunities, finding leverage points, cultivating allies and networks, building networks.


Designing what could be

On a timeline, plot out opportunities that will emerge in the next 18 - 24 months.Which of these can you best employ your strengths and qualities to seize?What values will help guide your actions?


Destiny: Innovating what Will Be

Focus: Identifying Courses of Action & Accountability PartnersList things you could begin doing to:

seize those opportunities you identified in the Design phase and plot them in a simple 2x2 grid as found in the next slide.



EASY HARD

HIGH

LOW

IMPACT

EASE OF IMPLEMENTATION



Identify someone who can be your accountability partner on this journey.Make a commitment to share with this person soon, so that he or she can keep you accountable for your goals and action.


Closing Reflections

What do you remember from our time together?What were you struck by? What does that mean for you?What might be your first step?


Appreciative Acknowledgements

You for participating and sharingMy teachers and mentorsMy student-teachers, especially the Critical Friends Group who meet regularly


Contacting me:

[email protected]

philosopherking69

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]