Exploring our Strengths thru Blended Learning
What happens when you combine the best of professional learning design, with a research-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program… and an award-winning game platform? Why, Thriving Learning Communities of course!
In the fall of 2014, Mayerson Academy kicked off the first in a series of blended learning experiences with educators from five Cincinnati Public Schools. From their first exploration of their own character strengths, all the way to a closing celebration in May, 40 dedicated educators opened their hearts and minds to the possibility that SEL competencies can soar when we address them through the lens of character strengths.
What were the secret ingredients to our successful journey? Here is a quick recap:
1. Embrace your own, your teams’ and your students’ unique combination of 24 universal character strengths, and live them every day.
2. Use your signature or top strengths each and every day and encourage your students to do so… bringing about greater engagement in learning… and increased life satisfaction!
3. Experience Happify, a delightful new approach to learning – engaging, thought provoking, reflective and FUN.
As the school year closed and we gathered one last time to reflect, share success stories and celebrate together, the 40 educators who participated in the Thriving Learning Communities work left their mark by sharing their best advice for the 37 schools that will be joining them the next school year. Here are just a couple of the comments they left behind.
“With the Happify gaming platform, it allows for some individual choice within that learning process. [It] truly engages our children authentically in learning more about themselves and identifying key components of who they are, and they allowing them the opportunity to share that out with peers and others that they come in contact with.”
“I saw the children fully embrace it and it was beautiful. I think it made them more confident and more compassionate towards others. They call out the character strengths in each other and every time that we did that work…it was almost like it fed them and it definitely made me appreciate this opportunity.”
We hope you’ll come back to visit from time to time as we blog about our progress, and of course, lessons learned as we roll out Thriving Learning Communities in 42 Cincinnati Public Schools this upcoming year.
