ONE-DAY WORKSHOP ON POSITIVE

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ONE-DAY WORKSHOP ON POSITIVE EDUCATION DEVELOPING AND

ENHANCING CHARACTER STRENGTHS

Presented by:

Sharing Seminar on

8^th January 2018

Caritas School Social

Work Service

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Positive Education brings together the science of Positive Psychology with best practice teaching to encourage and support individuals, schools and communities to flourish.

We refer to flourishing as a combination of ‘feeling good and doing good’.

Positive Education focuses on specific skills that assist students to strength their relationships, build positive emotions and enhance personal resilience, etc.

Caritas School Social Work Service

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 Professors

C hris Peterson

^and

M artin Seligman

^led

a large team of scientists and philosophers to identify a comprehensive set of Virtues and Character Strengths that have been valued throughout history, across cultures and across religions.

 Through this process, they identified 6 Virtues and 24 Character Strengths that appear to be universal.

 VIA Character Strengths are

"The Backbone Of Positive Psychology"

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 Character strengths are stable (but changeable), universal personality traits that manifest through thinking, feeling, volition, and behavior.

品格優點是穩定 (但可變)及普遍的性格特質，並透過思維、情感、

意志及行為彰顯出來。

 Character strengths are positive psychological characteristics that are considered to be the basic building blocks of human

goodness and flourishing.

品格優點是正向的心理特徵，被認定為人類良善和豐盛的基本構

成要素。

 When expressed in balance, character strengths are morally valued and are beneficial to oneself and others.

如果能夠平衡地運用，品格優點是有道德價值的，對個人及他人都有益處。

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▪ Visit this website 到訪這網站: http://www.viacharacter.org/www/

▪ When you see the webpage, click “Take The Free VIA Survey”

見到頁面時按一下 “Take The Free VIA Survey”

.

Procedures 程序

個人資料絕對保密

研究小組會整合部份結果然後以團體報告形式向相關人士匯報

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Register to get started

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Procedures 程序

Register your personal information before getting start 開始前先填寫個人資料

個人資料絕對保密

 Choose「中文(香港特別行政區)」選

擇「中文(香港特別行政區) 」

 The form only has English version 表格仍然會以英文顯示

 Input your English full name e.g.

Chan Tai Man

 Input Class and Class No. e.g. 1A (12)

 Input email address s17xxx@lsc.hk

 Choose VIA Survey (Adult)

 Click “Register” once you have completed the form

填寫完畢後, 按一下“Register”

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Procedure

程序

個人資料絕對保密

▪ Click “Take Survey”, 按一下”開始問卷”

refined

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Procedures 程序

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Procedures 程序

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Procedures 程序

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Procedures 程序

▪ Your result will be shown on the screen (like the one shows below) 電腦會顯示你的結果 (如下圖)

▪ Click “Download Character Strengths Profile Report” 按一下“Download Character Strengths Profile Report”

個人資料絕對保密

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Procedures 程序

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Save the file into your computer 儲存檔案到你的電腦 Email the file in PDF format to f1via1718@gmail.com

* Please write down your name, class and class No as the subject

* 請謹記在標題欄填上你的名字、班別及學號

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 It is our belief that each student is unique and has his strengths to encounter different life situations and to live meaningfully. It is important to explore and enhance his character strength profile.

 Understanding on students’ character strengths will be helpful for teachers who can guide the latter in their growth and life planning positively.

 In response to the increasing number of cases related to mental health and emotional problems, activities promoting Positive Education were implemented in 2012.

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 Cooperation between teachers, school social worker from Caritas Family Service embed VIA Character Strengths into curriculum

 Integrated Character Strengths into Catholics Core values

 Religion teachers integrated VIA Character Strengths into RE exercises and examination.

 Home School Cooperation

 Good Tool for Boys’ School

Characteristics of Implement

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Over the last 10 years, there has been considerable research mentioning about the benefits of character strengths for wellbeing and flourishing. Research has shown that having a strong sense of character is associated with living a good life, including reduced stress and vulnerability to mental illness.

(Huta & Hawley, 2010; Ruch et.al. 2007; Wood et.al. 2011)

VIA Survey is a good ‘tool’ in counselling

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VIA Survey is a good ‘tool’ in counselling

 With similar background schools in Hong Kong, the trend of the students being affected by mental health problem was increasing. In recent research, positive education and promoting student character strength are good ways to prevent mental health problems.

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 In our experience, VIA Survey is a good tool to engage our boys, especially the boy who are poor in presentation and communication skill.

VIA Survey is a good ‘tool’ in counselling

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 English teachers use character strengths to discuss in English Reading.

 Chinese teachers use character strengths integrated into Chinese Composition.

 Extended to Form Four and Form Six students in this academic year.

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 In 2012 SENCO Master and School Social Worker, La Salle College had completed the course of ‘VIA PRO Activation of Strengths: Bringing Research on Character Strengths into Practice’ offered by Dr. Ryan Niemiec in VIA Institute, USA.

 Besides, Dr. Ryan Niemiec provided Personal, individual coaching sessions to us. Then, they were introduced the VIA Inventory of Character Strengths Survey to students, teachers as well as parents in 2012.

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 In 2013, School Social Worker also had completed the course of

‘Developing Effective Teams: Using Strengths to Improve Engagement, Performance, and Satisfaction’ by Dr. Neal H.

Mayerson, and in 2015 completed the course of ‘Navigating

Transitions’ by Dr. Ryan Niemiec and Dr. Donna Mayerson in VIA Institute,USA.

 Attended Asia Pacific Positive Psychology Conference, City University of Hong Kong in January 2014.

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 Attended Training Course of Positive Education by Institute of Positive Education, Geelong Grammar School, Australia in November 2014.

 Became the professional member of International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) since 2013.

 VIA Ambassador since 2013.

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All Form 1 students completed the online VIA Survey in

MMLC during the Summer Bridging Program in August.

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 Before the end of first term, the School Social Worker introduced the three-step process of

Aware

^,

Explore

^and

Apply

ⁱⁿ

Character Strengths Worksheets in Religious Education lessons.

 All Form 1 students completed two worksheets on Aware and Explore Character Strengths exercises.

 Exploration followed with the application of an action plan or goal targeted to improve a particular strength.

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Appreciation of Beauty

對美麗的欣賞 Forgiveness 寬恕

Kindness 仁慈

Prudence 小心審慎

Bravery

勇敢 Gratitude

感恩 Leadership

領導才能 Self-Regulation 自我規範

Capacity to Love 愛

Honesty 誠實

Love of Learning 喜愛學習

Social

Intelligence 社交智慧 Creativity

創造力

Hope 希望

Modesty 謙虛

Spirituality 靈修性

Curiosity

好奇心 Humor

幽默感 Perseverance

堅毅 Teamwork

團隊精神 Fairness

公平公正

Judgment 判斷力

Perspective 洞察力

Zest

熱情和幹勁

(Provided by VIA Institute)

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Identify Your “Signature Strengths”

找出你的

「突顯優點」

 最能夠形容自己的5個優點 (或3-7個)

▪Authentic 真正的

▪Natural 自然的

▪Energizing 增添能量的

▪Easily identified by family/friends 容易被家人/朋友發現的

▪Frequently used at multiple settings 經常用於多種場合的

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Student example (1)

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Student example (2)

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Self-regulated to use the electric devices

Areas of Application 應用範疇

Top 5 Signature Strengths 突顯優點

1. 2. 3. 4. 5

.

Self-regulated to use the electric devices (mobile phone and computer) 對使用手提電話及電腦的自我約束

Goal目標:

Auxiliary Strengths (other 19 character strengths)輔助優點

Result結果:

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Google Form (Survey)

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Google Form (Goal Setting)

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Google Form (Goal Setting)

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 To enhance the

lower character strengths

^{of our}

Form 1 students, another worksheet was used in Religious Education lessons.

 All Form 1 students wrote down in the worksheet some biblical references and/or words from St. John Baptist de La Salle that were related to their lower character strengths such as Love, Perspective and Prudence. This was intended to lead students to think how the biblical references and words from St. John Baptist de La Salle guided them to acquire these character strengths in daily life situations.

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La Salle College Form 1 Religious Studies Character Strength Building

Name: ______________________ ( ) Class: F.1___ Mark: / 5

Our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle had many wise and beautiful teachings. They are morally challenging.

His teachings are grouped by our School Supervisor, Brother Patrick under various headings such as anger, conscience, discipline, faith, gentleness, kindness, love, peace, politeness, prayer, the presence of God, students, teachers, virtue and zeal.

From the results of the Character Strength survey, the Character Strength, Capacity to Love and to Be Loved, ranked lowest among all. However, it is important for Lasallians to learn to be loved and love others. With the help of our Founder’s teachings, we may be able to develop that Strength.

Go to the following website.

http://www.lasalle.org.hk/pages/thought.htm

Identify TWO teachings from St. John Baptist de La Salle which can help you enhance the above Character Strength. Describe what you plan to do in daily life with reference to the teachings so that the Character Strength can be enhanced.

Teaching 1

Heading Quotation

With reference to the teaching, what can do you in daily life to improve the Character Strength?

Teaching 2

Heading Quotation

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La Salle College Form 1 Religious Studies Character Strength Building

Name: ______________________ ( ) Class: F.1___ Mark: / 5

Our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle had many wise and beautiful teachings. They are morally challenging.

His teachings are grouped by our School Supervisor, Brother Patrick under various headings such as anger, conscience, discipline, faith, gentleness, kindness, love, peace, politeness, prayer, the presence of God, students, teachers, virtue and zeal.

From the results of the Character Strength survey, the Character Strength, Capacity to Love and to Be Loved, ranked lowest among all. However, it is important for Lasallians to learn to be loved and love others. With the help of our Founder’s teachings, we may be able to develop that Strength.

Go to the following website.

http://www.lasalle.org.hk/pages/thought.htm

Identify TWO teachings from St. John Baptist de La Salle which can help you enhance the above Character Strength. Describe what you plan to do in daily life with reference to the teachings so that the Character Strength can be enhanced.

Teaching 1

Heading Quotation

Teaching 2

Heading Quotation

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Next from your own survey result, apart from the Character Strength, Capacity to Love and to Be Loved, identify ONE of your weaker Character Strengths and write it down in the space below.

Identify TWO teachings from St. John Baptist de La Salle which can help you enhance your weaker Character Strength mentioned above. Describe what you plan to do in daily life with reference to the teachings so that the weaker strength can be enhanced.

Teaching 1

Heading Quotation

With reference to the teaching, what can do you in daily life to improve your weaker Strength?

Teaching 2

Heading Quotation

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Next from your own survey result, apart from the Character Strength, Capacity to Love and to Be Loved, identify ONE of your weaker Character Strengths and write it down in the space below.

Identify TWO teachings from St. John Baptist de La Salle which can help you enhance your weaker Character Strength mentioned above. Describe what you plan to do in daily life with reference to the teachings so that the weaker strength can be enhanced.

Teaching 1

Heading Quotation

Teaching 2

Heading Quotation

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Lasallian Thought for the Day

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Examples of Lasallian Teachings

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Examples of Lasallian Teachings

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Shalom – Old Testament Stories

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F4 Assignment

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F4 Assignment

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F6 Assignment

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 To find out whether the students learned the concept of character strengths, the concept was covered in F1 Religious Education mid-term examination and final examination.

 In the Chinese lessons in the second term, students were asked to write their own stories after the VIA Signature Strengths Survey. It was also a three-step process of Aware, Explore and Apply in Character Strengths. Students would go through their own stories and identify their signature strengths. Each student was expected to identify two to three strengths

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 Parents who learn positive education and character strengths are able to share a

common language

with their sons and also report a strong sense of connection with school. It is a good opportunity to introduce the concept of VIA Character Strengths to the new Form 1 parents during the summer bridging program.

 Besides, the school social worker will continue to run Positive Education parent group to teach parents how to use the VIA Character Strength Survey and help their son set up personal goals after they have learned the Character Strengths.

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VIA ^{中文作文題目}

曾經我不知道甚麼是

我真正的優點,但昨天

的經歷卻讓我更了解

自己……

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▪以上是思賢個人網誌的第一段。

假設你是思賢，試從第二段開始，

續寫這篇網誌，以「一件令我振奮的事」為題，敘述當天發生的事情,並談談你的優點(優點部分可參考曾參予填寫的網上問卷結果)。

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題目:

試以「一件令我振奮的事」

為題，寫作一篇文章，先敘述當天發生的事情，再談

談從事件中如何發現你的優

點(優點部分可參考曾參予

填寫的網上問卷結果)。

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Our Challenge (Limitation)

1. Manpower Support

2. Difficulties for less able students 3. Cultural Difference

4. Translation in Chinese 5. Follow up

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The Way Forward

 Understanding on students’ character strengths will be helpful for teachers who can guide the latter in their growth and life planning positively.

 Focus Group/Research

 Plan to set up a pilot project and cooperate with secondary schools, Universities to implement Positive Education programme in school.

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Evaluation after VIA Survey

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After one month of the F.1 class workshop:

❖ 45%

of F.1 students had used the definitions printed on Worksheet 1 to identify the Character Strengths of their friends, classmates, teachers, parents and relatives once to twice a week

❖ 19%

of students have done the same three to four times a week

❖ 1%

of students five to six times a week

❖ 5%

of students said that they have done it every day

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After one month of the F.1 class workshop:

❖ 51%

of students have used Worksheet 2 to plan and keep track of their usage of Character Strengths once to twice a week

❖ 25%

of students have done the same way three to four times a week.

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After one month of the F.1 class workshop:

❖ 68%

of students have put the Reminder Card in a place where they have easy access to it.

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After one month of the F.1 class workshop:

❖ 86%

of students have reported that they have achieved their goal setting in Worksheet 2.

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All Form 2 students completed the online VIA Survey in MMLC after the final examination in July 2014.

It aimed at comparing and finding out if there was any difference in their character strengths after two years of study in the College.

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Finding

❖ We have received

219

Form 2 questionnaires.

C

^haracter ^strengths reported were (in descending order of popularity) ^:

Humour, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Citzenship, Love of learning.

❖ Compared with their overall result in Form 1, the result was quite similar : Citzenship, Humour, Creativity, Appreciation of beauty and excellence.

The students seemed to increase their love of learning after two years of study in the College.

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❖ The lower strengths of Form 2 boys were:

Bravery, Capacity to Love and to be Loved, Enthusiasm, Perspective, Kindness.

❖ The result was somewhat different when compared with their result in the last academic year :

Prudence, Judgement, Kindness, Perspective, Capacity to love and be loved.

❖ The difference between top five and bottom five

character strengths became narrowed up, compared with their Form 1 overall result.

Finding

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❖ Capacity to Love and be Loved had been the

weakest character strength in the overall Form 1 result last academic year. Only 7 Form 1 students (

3%

) had this kind of character strength .

❖ In Form 2, there was a marked increase by

71%

^from

7 to 24 students having character strength in Capacity to Love and be Loved.

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Finding

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❖ The study group (including RS Department, Guidance Team and SENCO Team) at school analyzed the results and came up with the conclusion that students might be able to enhance the weakest character strengths (Capacity to Love and be Loved) through the experiences of participating in community services as all Form 2 students had to participate in the compulsory Form 2 Service Program for the subject Religious Education.

Finding

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1.

H

^appiness

Zest, hope, and love are still on top! Study after study, across cultures, show these three strengths as standing on top of the 24 as those most connected with happiness. This study extends these findings (Martinez-Marti & Ruch, 2014).

2.

R

elationship satisfaction

Among married couples, both the higher ratings of character strengths and the use of character strengths in the marriage were related to higher satisfaction in the relationship (Lavy et al., 2014).

Caritas School Social Work Service 64

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3.

D

^epression

In a rare positive psychology intervention study of older adults

(aged 50-79), overall intervention was found to be most effective for a group assigned to work on using a signature strength in new ways. It was the only intervention that led to both an increase in happiness and a decrease in depression for the adults (Proyer et al., 2014).

4.

C

^oping

In two workplace samples (a mixed group of several occupations and a nurses group), character strengths were connected with improved coping with work stress and with a decrease in the negative effects of stress (Harzer & Ruch, 2015).

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5.

P

roductivity

In a workplace study involving 686 participants, the character strength of perseverance was the strength most associated with work productivity and least associated with counter-productive work behaviors. This was best explained by the workers’ sense of meaning at work and perceptions of work-as-a-career and work-as-a-calling (Littman-Ovadia & Lavy, 2015).

6.

C

aring, inquisitiveness, self-control

Following several analyses of data involving over one million people, these three elements of human character emerged (McGrath, 2015).

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7. E

xercise habits

In a qualitative study that tailored individual’s signature strengths to an exercise program, participants improved in exercise adherence, enjoyment of exercise, and achievement (Stocker & Hefferon, in press).

8.

C

lassroom behavior and achievement

In a study of primary school students and a study of secondary school students, several character strengths were associated with positive classroom behavior (e.g., perseverance, social intelligence, prudence, hope, self-regulation) and school achievement (e.g., love of learning, perseverance, zest, perspective, gratitude, hope) (Wagner & Ruch, 2015).

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9.

R

^esilience

In a study of people in China who had experienced a range of traumatic experiences, a significant relationship between virtues and resilience was found. Interestingly, it was virtues that contributed more to posttraumatic growth while resilience emerged as a strong predictor of PTSD (Duan, Guo,

& Gan, 2015).

10.

I

nclusiveness

Preliminary work examining the inclusiveness of the VIA Youth Survey for youth with disabilities found that the assessment was reliable and meaningful for youth with and without disabilities and similar strengths profiles emerged (Shogren et al., in press).

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第一招

數算你的樂事

Case discussion

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喜愛學習 公民感、團隊精神和忠心

洞察力(智慧) 仁慈和寬宏

創造力、靈巧性和獨創性 領導才能 判斷力、批判性思考和開明的思想 寬恕和慈悲

對卓越事物的欣賞 希望、樂觀感和未來意識 對世界的好奇和興趣 勤奮、用功和堅毅

謙恭和謙虛 興致、熱情和幹勁

社交智慧 去愛和被愛的能力

勇敢和勇氣 誠實、真摯和真誠

不偏不倚、公平和公正 精神感悟、對目的的觀念和信念

自我控制和自我規範 感恩

小心、謹慎、審慎 幽默感和挑皮

Student with Asperger Problem

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函幽默感和挑皮

對對世界的好奇和興趣 創創造力

公公民感、團隊精神和忠心 興興故、熱情和幹勁

去愛和被愛的能力 仁慈和寬宏

精神感悟、對目的的觀念和信念 感恩

謙恭和謙虛

Playfulness students

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ADHD Student

 1. Creativity

 2. Perspective

 3. Bravery

 4. Curiosity

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ADHD Student



17. Self Regulation



20. Fairness



21. Appreciation of Beauty and Excellent



22. Prudence



23. Forgiveness



24. Gratitude

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F3 Student



1. Humor and Playfulness



2. Hope and Optimism



3. Enthusiasm and Zest



4. Industry and Perseverance



5. Curiosity and Interest in the World

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F3 Student



20. Gratitude



21. Self-control and Self-regulation



22. Fairness and Justice



23. Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence



24. Forgiveness and Mercy

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 Industry, diligence, and perseverance

 Self-control and self-regulation

 Bravery and valor

 Hope, optimism, and future-mindedness

 Forgiveness and mercy

 Caution, prudence, and discretion

Low Motivation of Study

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Caritas SSW Task Group

on VIA Character Strengths



Task Group on “Implement VIA Character

Strength Survey in Secondary School” was set up

by Caritas School Social Work Service in 2016

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Guideline for Group Discussion

 Target Participants: Age, Sex, etc.

 Nature: Curriculum, counselling activities, SEN, ECA?

 Content

 Phase

 Involved Parties

 Expected Outcome

 Limitation

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References

1. Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. New York: Free Press.

2. Peterson, C., & Seligman, M., (2004). The VIA classification of strengths. Cincinnati: Values in Action Institute.

3. Jeremy Swinson & Alex Harrop., (2012). Positive Psychology for Teachers. A Practical Guide. UK:

Routledge.

4. Niemiec, R.M. (2013). VIA character strengths: Research and practice (The first 10 years). In H.H.

Knoop & A. Delle Fave (Eds.), Well-being and cultures: Perspectives on positive psychology (pp.11-30). New York: Springer.

5. Institute of Positive Education (2014). Designing Positive Education. A Whole School Approach to Student and Staff Wellbeing. Geelong Grammar School, Australia.

6. Institute of Positive Education (2014). Embedding Character Strengths. A professional learning day exploring why and how to embed the language and practice of Character Strengths within your school. Geelong Grammar School, Australia.

7. Strategic Direction, Wellbeing and Positive Education Strategic Direction 2011-2013. St. Peter’s College, Adelaide, Australia.

8. Website:

▪ http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

▪ http://www.viacharacter.org

▪ http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~duckworth/index.html

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Positive Education

The Geelong Grammar School Journey

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Positive Psychology for Teachers

A Practical Guide

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Positive Psychology In A Nutshell

The science of happiness

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Flourish

Martin E. P. Seligman - Bestselling Author of Authentic Happiness

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St. Peter’s College, Adelaide, Australia

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Geelong Grammar School, Australia

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University of Pennsylvania

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ONE-DAY WORKSHOP ON POSITIVE