Recognizing And Understanding Personality Types In The Classroom

There are many factors to consider when observing how our students take in information, how they make decisions and in what way do they communicate with you and their peers. We have been educated about multiple intelligences, but we rarely hear about how students' personality types reflect within classrooms. Sometimes a teacher just needs to see »the bigger picture« to understand students’ interests, needs and behaviours. This, together with the knowledge of multiple intelligences and through sincere conversations with students themselves, makes our everyday teaching experience a lot easier. The first step in the process of recognizing and considering personality types of your students is to define your own type because it applies to your teaching style. Teachers usually have no problems meeting the needs of students of the same personality type as is theirs and they are more likely to come into conflict and discipline those who are not. Personality type framework is a tool for teachers to improve their classroom management, differentiation, building relationships with difficult students, collaboration with colleagues, motivating students, etc.