Good Education

In our research into global education systems, nearly every teacher in every school has one common question: How do we get the best out of every student?

Acquiring knowledge alone is no longer enough to survive in this rapidly changing world. Competencies such as adaptability, creativity, perseverance, and empathy are becoming more important in an increasingly complex and high-tech society. As well as a willingness and desire to teach, it helps to have a concise view of each student, their life strategy, mental well-being and awareness of their personal development. In almost every school guide you’ll find the mantra: ‘The student is central’. And so they should be.

Current trends and developments

Learning is a comprehensive process; it covers social, emotional and cognitive competencies. In the early years of adolescence, the brain is still in full development and the integration of previously acquired functions is central in finding one’s place in the world.

A good command of social emotional competencies is related to well-being and higher learning performance. A low-developed social emotional competence can lead to personal and social problems. Therefore its fair to say that optimum study results and socio-emotional well-being go hand in hand.

From 12+ individual differences in talents and learning styles are now becoming increasingly important. In this context, without being exhaustive, we identify a number of eye-catching trends and developments:

• The rise of personalised learning.
• Increasing attention to talent development.
• More attention to personality development.
• Self-awareness in children and vulnerabilities begin to manifest.

Existing methodologies

Schools use various tools to follow, motivate and guide students and to connect with the development of their talents. Think of student tracking systems, mentoring lessons, psychometrics, study questionnaires, conversations with students, coaching and study guidance hours. Despite these systems, methodologies and interventions, teachers, mentors, school Heads and Deans often struggle with questions such as:

• How do I get in touch with my pupils’ experience?
• How do I identify with this student more effectively?
• How can I engage with this student and discover what is driving them?
• Does this student know, or believe, what they are truly capable of?
• How can we help students gain insight into their talents?

A methodology that goes deeper: The Organic ScoreCard (OSC)

If you want precise answers to the questions above, or you have other questions about your students, their talents, ambitions or welfare then the Organic ScoreCard will shed light on the answers you require. While existing instruments only expose the ‘visible part of the iceberg’—observable behaviour and actions—the OSC goes deeper, well beneath the tip of the iceberg.

Examples of the Organic ScoreCard output … invaluable insights into the student.

The Organic ScoreCard, a simple 20-minute online assessment, is the first and only method that maps the upper and lower consciousness. A user-friendly tool that gives mentors, Deans/Heads, teachers and support staff/pastoral care a detailed and truthful insight into intrinsic drives, ambitions, characteristics, blockages and growth opportunities of the individual. This creates an objective picture of who the student really is, where their opportunities and abilities lie and how best to approach and steer their development.

The OSC also gives the student an instrument in his own hands. This allows them to develop ownership for their own development. It also enables them to carry a ‘key’ to themselves- something that helps them feel understood and gives them a tangible identity, beyond expression.

Science Behind the Organic ScoreCard

• The Organic ScoreCard was developed in the early 2000’s using scientific research and was scientifically validated in 2018.
• BPS registration is currently underway.

An example of the OSC in action

I had an honouree who wasn’t comfortable in his own skin. But I couldn’t get a finger on what was going on with him and couldn’t explain his behaviour. The OSC revealed that he likes to ‘please’. It wasn’t until then that I figured what was bothering him and was able to start the conversation with him. ‘What does it mean for you that you always put yourself aside like this and that you don’t think about yourself enough in the relationship with others?’ This student found it difficult to say ‘no’ and got tangled up with himself as a result. The OSC gave us an insight into the authenticity of this student and we saw that he made choices and displayed behaviours that were going to ‘rub’ with who he really is.

As Dean, I have never worked with an instrument that shows so quickly and completely where the strengths and personal blockages of a student lies. The results of the OSC help you to offer appropriate guidance and to help the student concretely in his personal development.

Han Waalen, Dean and Lecturer Strabrecht College

In depth: Why the Organic ScoreCard?

Application of the Organic ScoreCard ensures that student monitoring carries real depth and ultimately contributes measurably to the study efficiency and welfare of the student.

Student perspective

• Allowing teachers to move faster and respond preventively to possible dropouts and study delays.
• Encouraging students to make more conscious choices based on their talents and potential.
• Positively influence the motivation of students and their learning outcomes.
• Allowing insights and a feeling of being understood and recognised for their intrinsic values/strategy.
• Giving students real time insights into their own well-being.

Teacher/school perspective

• Use appropriate pedagogical-didactic interventions to strengthen the ownership of the student in their learning and development process.
• Working effectively on peer collaboration between teachers and between teachers and their groups.
• Working effectively on a social and safe school environment in which everyone is really seen.
• Monitoring student welfare and mental health- numerous interventions available to effect change in strategy and wellness.
• Saving time, and money, in the monitoring of student progress and welfare.

Schools and universities can use the Organic ScoreCard at both individual and group level. By embedding this instrument in student development and student care, the Organic ScoreCard can form ‘the underlay’ for more effective guidance during the entire school journey. Student development over time can then be objectively monitored. Accurate, fast, simple and reliable.

Leaving School: A Concrete Tool for Career Orientation & Guidance

The Organic ScoreCard and the thousands of interventions developed alongside it can be employed effectively in conversations about Career Orientation & Guidance towards the end of a student’s education.

It provides concrete tools to talk about what a student thinks is important in his life, how he or she looks at the world and whether his ‘drive’ fits the profession or discipline he or she has chosen. This instrument allows you to get to the core very quickly.

A tip: it is a ‘must’ for you as a teacher or supervisor to fill the OSC in for yourself to discover and understand the effect. You will not be disappointed. TdV, Teacher upper secondary school HAVO/VWO

Watch this short video on Student Awareness, and please get in touch for a free demonstration of the Organic ScoreCard.