Design the Positive: Positive Thinking, Positive Communication and Positive School Spaces

Description

The course has been designed to fulfill the increasing need and interest in the topic, which was shown by teachers attending our other courses.

Here, the necessity of a practical course, designed in a workshop formula, where, besides theoretical introductions, teachers will experiment in first person exercises and create projects to enhance a positive approach to school and education in general.

We will learn how to enhance positive thinking, reduce negative self-talk, personalize and catastrophize, practice gratitude, humor, and mindfulness, and learn the importance of praising ourselves.

We will learn how to practice positive communication with ourselves, our students, and colleagues, learning how to convert negative, disruptive, and ineffective communication into a virtuous circle of positive relationships, referring also to graphic design as a positive visual communication tool.

We will then expand to the surrounding environment, the school, to learn about the importance of positive design, architecture, and decoration in and outside the classroom, inspired by design psychology principles and driven by the peculiarity of each country and case.

Participants will be involved in an active learning process, also focusing on personal experience and self-reflection, combining cognitive and emotional elements to make the learning process easier and ensure long-lasting retention of new knowledge.

Concept by Marta Mandolini

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants to understand how to:

• Practice and enhance positive thinking, reduce negative self-criticism, practice gratitude, humor, and mindfulness;
• Practice positive communication with themselves, students, and colleagues, and share it concretely once back to school;
• Create a positive, pleasant environment in and outside the classroom through sustainable design and decoration principles;
• Create a project for themselves and for the school based on positive design possibly applicable once to school.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction & positive education

Course introduction

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities.

Positive education

• Foundation in Positive education;
• History, Pioneers, Theories, and methods;
• Slides presentation, case histories, and individual practical activities.

Day 2 – Importance of positive psychology

• The roots of negative self-assessment;
• Practicing mindfulness and humor;
• Practical activities.

Day 3 – Positive communication

• How to convert your communication into positive communication, both visually and verbally.

Day 4 – Positivity: from dream to reality

• Positive design: “dreaming” a positive school. Is it just a dream? 
• Design psychology principles for schools; 
• Group or personal project: hands-on work.

Day 5 – Design thinking

• Design Thinking for schools; 
• Personal project implementation.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.

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