How Strengths Are Engaging Students Online, in the Classroom

On a recent Called to Coach: Australia/Singapore Edition, we spoke with Jock Boyd and Jack Iveson of Your Edge/Think Education.

Your Edge began as a gamble in the education realm. In fact, Jack -- who normally agrees to any challenge without much thought -- had to consider whether the pilot program of Your Edge would be worth his time in the short three weeks he and Jock had to launch it. Together, Jack and Jock plunged in and had three hectic weeks: setting up a dynamic website, recruiting their cohort of students for the pilot and getting three people through Gallup strengths coaching courses. They didn't know if they would make it, but as they explained, "They told us we could fail and that was important." The idea that they could fail at launching this pilot program gave Jack and Jock permission to be creative in designing and launching Your Edge.

But they didn't fail. Your Edge was a hit with its first two cohorts during the pilot phase. One thing that bound students to the program was CliftonStrengths. Jack explained, "It gave them a shared language and coaching on their strengths allowed the students to form a community." CliftonStrengths were particularly successful for students participating in Your Edge online. Jack and Jock explained that because those students don't congregate in a physical space, the need to engage them with their peers is imperative. CliftonStrengths gave those online students the tools to discuss "… who they are and what made them tick and they started to open up to one another."

To hear more about how strengths empower Think Education, please watch the video or listen to the audio above.

Jock Boyd's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are Intellection, Input, Learner, Ideation and Strategic.

Jack Iveson's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are Developer, Achiever, Positivity, Ideation and Intellection.