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Dave Levin

Positive psychology meets K-12 pedagogy. This course explores key ideas of positive psychology and shows how great teachers apply those lessons to maximize student engagement and accomplishment. Through lectures, discussions, interviews and footage of great educators in action, you’ll learn how to integrate character-based objectives into your own teaching.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Your Character Journey
Let's begin with an exploration of our own strengths of character... we all have them!
The Science of Character
This module explores the research base that supports the teaching of character.
Read more
Teaching Character in Every Moment
Character education starts with an intentional approach to every human-to-human interaction.
Macro Structures
Create a plan for teaching character and then work every day to make it happen.
Talking About Character Growth
No one ever masters something like grit or gratitude; the goal is to integrate those lessons into our daily lives.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Straightforwardly conveys principles and theories in positive psychology and how these may be applied in education
Incorporates teaching strategies and methods rooted in character-based instruction, making it beneficial for educators seeking to create a positive and engaging learning environment
Suitable for educators looking to explore and integrate positive psychology concepts into their teaching practices, making this course particularly relevant for K-12 teachers

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Reviews summary

Inspiring and practical education theory on character building

Learners say this engaging, inspiring course is well-structured and informative, and it offers practical advice for teaching character and creating positive classrooms. The latest research and expert interviews are presented in a manageable workload alongside clear explanations and case studies. According to students, this course is suitable for educators of all levels.
Course is suitable for educators of all levels.
"I would recommend this course for any teachers at any level or course in K-12."
Expert interviews provide valuable insights.
"The interviews with resource persons are very useful in helping us to get an insight into the methodology to be adopted by us for character building."
Practical advice in manageable format.
"It is a good balance of theory, research and practical advice."
"The course load is manageable with a full time job."
Content is presented in a logical structure.
"The content is presented in a logical structure just like any lesson we teach to our students."
Course content is inspiring and practical.
"This is a great, short course which will make you think about your teaching in a new way."
"This course helps me understand why grit and character is important as a teacher."
"I am so impressed with the content Dave and the TA team has pulled together."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms with these activities:
Review positive psychology
Review key concepts of positive psychology to refresh and reinforce your understanding of the foundations of this field.
Browse courses on Positive Psychology
Show steps
  • Identify key theorists and their contributions
  • Summarize the core principles of positive psychology
  • Reflect on how these principles have been applied in practice
Read StrengthsFinder 2.0
Gain insights into identifying and developing your character strengths, providing a foundation for applying positive psychology principles in your teaching.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts
  • Reflect on how you can apply these concepts in your teaching
Connect with experienced educators in character education
Seek guidance from experienced educators who have successfully implemented character education programs, gaining valuable insights and practical advice.
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors through professional networks or online platforms
  • Reach out to mentors and request guidance on character education
  • Schedule regular meetings or engage in online discussions
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Learn about character strengths assessment
Explore tools and techniques for assessing character strengths, equipping you with practical methods for identifying and developing strengths in both yourself and your students.
Show steps
  • Discover different assessment tools available
  • Complete a character strengths assessment
  • Interpret your results and identify areas for growth
Practice mindfulness exercises
Develop mindfulness skills through regular practice, enhancing your ability to promote well-being and resilience in your students.
Browse courses on Mindfulness
Show steps
  • Learn different mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing
  • Set aside a specific time each day for mindfulness practice
  • Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your daily routine
Participate in peer feedback on character-based lesson plans
Engage with peers to provide and receive constructive feedback on character-based lesson plans, refining your approaches and enhancing the quality of your teaching.
Show steps
  • Share your lesson plan with peers
  • Provide feedback on others' lesson plans, focusing on character integration
  • Incorporate feedback into your own lesson plan
Develop a lesson plan integrating character education
Apply your understanding of positive psychology to create a lesson plan that effectively incorporates character education principles, promoting student engagement and personal growth.
Show steps
  • Select a topic that aligns with character education objectives
  • Identify specific character strengths to focus on
  • Design engaging activities that foster character development
Volunteer in a youth development program
Put your knowledge of positive psychology into practice by volunteering in a youth development program, gaining hands-on experience in fostering character growth and resilience in young people.
Show steps
  • Research and identify youth development programs in your area
  • Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Attend training and orientation sessions
  • Engage in meaningful interactions with youth, supporting their character development

Career center

Learners who complete Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Teacher
As a Teacher, you will be responsible for educating and inspiring students in a variety of subjects. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Teacher. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to teach character-based objectives, and how to assess student learning. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Teacher.
School Counselor
As a School Counselor, you will work with students, parents, and teachers to provide academic, social, and emotional support. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective School Counselor. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive school environment, how to counsel students on a variety of issues, and how to collaborate with parents and teachers to support student success. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a School Counselor.
Educational Administrator
As an Educational Administrator, you will be responsible for overseeing the operation of a school or school district. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Administrator. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive school environment, how to manage school finances, and how to lead and motivate staff. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Educational Administrator.
Curriculum Developer
As a Curriculum Developer, you will be responsible for developing and implementing curriculum for schools. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Curriculum Developer. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to develop engaging and effective curriculum, and how to assess student learning. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Curriculum Developer.
Instructional Designer
As an Instructional Designer, you will be responsible for designing and developing instructional materials for schools. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Instructional Designer. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to design engaging and effective instructional materials, and how to assess student learning. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Instructional Designer.
Educational Psychologist
As an Educational Psychologist, you will work with students, parents, and teachers to provide academic, social, and emotional support. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Psychologist. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to counsel students on a variety of issues, and how to collaborate with parents and teachers to support student success. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Educational Psychologist.
Educational Researcher
As an Educational Researcher, you will conduct research to improve the teaching and learning process. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Researcher. You will learn how to design and conduct research studies, how to analyze data, and how to disseminate your findings. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Educational Researcher.
Nonprofit Manager
As a Nonprofit Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the operation of a nonprofit organization. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Nonprofit Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to manage nonprofit finances, and how to lead and motivate staff. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Nonprofit Manager.
Social Worker
As a Social Worker, you will work with individuals, families, and communities to provide social and emotional support. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Social Worker. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive environment, how to counsel individuals and families on a variety of issues, and how to advocate for social justice. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Social Worker.
Public Health Educator
As a Public Health Educator, you will work with communities to promote health and prevent disease. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Public Health Educator. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive environment, how to develop and implement public health programs, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of those programs. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Public Health Educator.
Human Resources Manager
As a Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Human Resources Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to recruit and hire staff, and how to manage employee benefits. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Human Resources Manager.
Sales Manager
As a Sales Manager, you will be responsible for leading and motivating a sales team. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Sales Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement sales strategies, and how to manage a sales team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as a Sales Manager.
Marketing Manager
As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Marketing Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement marketing strategies, and how to manage a marketing team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as a Marketing Manager.
Public relations manager
As a Public Relations Manager, you will be responsible for managing the public relations function of an organization. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Public Relations Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement public relations campaigns, and how to manage a public relations team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as a Public Relations Manager.
Event Planner
As an Event Planner, you will be responsible for planning and executing events. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Event Planner. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement event plans, and how to manage an event team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as an Event Planner.

Reading list

We've selected 19 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms .
This guide provides practical advice and strategies for teaching character in the classroom. It covers topics such as creating a positive learning environment, developing character-building activities, and assessing student progress.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of character strengths and virtues, including their definitions, development, and measurement. It valuable resource for educators looking to incorporate character education into their teaching.
This classic book provides research-based strategies for creating a positive and productive learning environment. It can be helpful for educators looking to improve their classroom management skills and build strong relationships with their students.
This guide provides practical strategies for using a strengths-based approach in the classroom. It includes tips for identifying and developing student strengths, creating a positive learning environment, and differentiating instruction.
Explores the importance of character in our lives. It provides insights into how we can develop our own character and help others to do the same.
Provides a guide for school leaders on how to create a school culture that promotes character development.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of positive psychology, including its history, theories, and applications. It valuable resource for educators looking to gain a deeper understanding of the field.
Provides a framework for creating a culture of thinking in the classroom. It can be helpful for educators looking to develop their students' critical thinking skills and foster a love of learning.
Explores the science of habit formation. It can be helpful for educators looking to understand how to create positive habits in their students.
Explores the importance of having a growth mindset, which is the belief that intelligence can be developed through effort. It can be used as a resource for educators looking to foster a growth mindset in their students.
Provides a framework for understanding the challenges of innovation. It can be helpful for educators looking to create a more innovative and creative classroom environment.
Provides practical advice for communicating effectively with children. It can be helpful for educators looking to build positive relationships with their students and create a more positive classroom environment.

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