Offer your students ways to work on self-improvement: SWOT analysis
Thomas Courtley
Education Specialist
👉 An interesting self-improvement method.
What kind of learning technique is the SWOT analysis?
There are many ways to evaluate a lesson and reflect on its contents.
This learning technique is indeed used to evaluate a lesson, but from a different point of view. Students are stimulated to analyse their learning strategy with the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) method. This technique can be used both to review and to anticipate, or in preparation for specific exams.
How do you implement it?
To implement this learning technique you can apply 2 or 4 open questions. The aim of your questions is to facilitate individual assessment and self-improvement, by helping your students build rich and insightful answers. A useful opening question could be: “What are the strengths/qualities that will help you perform?”. Followed by: “Think about a risk/danger related to your strengths/qualities”. 🤔
In a second moment ask your students to answer a question concerning their weaknesses/limitations. Followed by a challenge: “Think of possible solutions”.
How does it work in the class?
You can implement the SWOT analysis while you are preparing any kind of assessment. It can be applied to prepare for tests and/or end of year exams.
Students can answer and discuss the questions in a group setting, but it is probably safer to share these questions with your students individually. Especially the first time round. In a second moment, and only if you feel comfortable doing so, you could use this learning technique during a standard lesson. Divide your students in groups of 2, and ask them to question/help each other while applying it.Â
