Clifton's StrenghsFinder: International Educator, Know Thyself
When I think of new trends in international education and the corresponding skills I need to improve, I have to first identify my strengths. What has allowed me to do my work well earlier and will likely be an asset in the future? According to a valid instrument called Clifton's StrengthsFinder, I do well "mining" for information, collecting, analyzing and organizing data (Input); discussing or explaining complex ideas or processes to others (Intellection); making sure that problems get solved (Restorative); and ensuring that everyone around me is happy and content, working productively together (Harmony).
For instance, I have applied my strengths in course design before and developed my passion for e-learning. E-Learning products should be built on a solid process of events, each one, on completion, triggering the next, with parallel processes where possible and logical: from storyboarding, on through storyboard review, module production, module review and testing, and finishes with a final review. It is similar to regular face-to-face course planning and allows me to use my Input, Restorative and Context themes.
Of course, these are talent areas I still need to develop further (it is possible to develop new strengths as well), but it's great to have specific talent areas to focus on. Feel how different this approach is from only looking at the negatives - qualities we do not possess, that are not at the core of who we are.