Using Positive Psychology to Enhance Student Achievement

Positive psychology, properly understood and applied, offers a tremendous opportunity for improving student and teacher experiences and the overall success of any school. The connection between education and happiness is recognised to be mutually reinforcing; education helps students to be happy and happy students gain more from education. Research has confirmed what educators have long known - that happy students typically achieve more in the classroom and exam room than unhappy students and are more energetic, persistent, creative and better able to get on with others._x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ Using Positive Psychology to Enhance Student Achievement is unique in translating a complex literature written by academic psychologists into a highly practical resource. The activities have been designed to provide a creative and engaging way of enabling students to discover their strengths both in terms of their cognitive abilities and `virtues’, i.e. character strengths._x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ Throughout the programme students are introduced to the key insights of positive psychology:_x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ the importance of being connected to others;_x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ character training and metacognitive strategies;_x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ positive rather than reactive thinking and habits;_x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ developing the skills essential for building optimism and resilience;_x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ recognising and combating negative thoughts; and_x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ understanding that there are certain ways of thinking that can make their lives better. _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ _x005F_x000D_ Easy-to-deliver sessions with comprehensive facilitator instructions and activity resources are provided. All lessons are interactive and based on group discussions and role play to ensure that students learn more about themselves and others. Students are encouraged to practise skills and ideas that are discussed during the sessions in their everyday lives with home pract