Insight into drivers leads to better academic results

How can it be that one student settles for a bare pass while another aims for top marks? How is it that one student loves solving mathematical problems while another looks forward to the next practical lesson? Why is that one student difficult in my class, and why do I never hear fellow teachers say anything about it?

Tensions and conflicts

Answer: every person is simply coloured differently, and that applies to pupils and teachers as well. That can give rise to tensions and conflicts. Certainly when it comes to teenagers, who are naturally in an uncertain phase and are discovering their own identity. The direct result being that teachers are less keen to go to work and students display unmotivated behaviour.

Tuning your teaching style to the needs of the class

Teachers can tackle that unmotivated behaviour from their own resistances, which only reinforces the behaviour. But teachers can also choose to gain more insight into their own drivers and those of their students, so that they can tune their teaching style optimally to the needs of the class. What matters here is that teachers and students have clear insight into each other's drivers.

Drivers of teachers and students in colours

Turquoise

A predominantly turquoise-coloured teacher is naturally well able to make the connection between their subject and other subjects. This teacher is good at putting things into perspective and is able to inspire their students with important themes in the world. 

A predominantly turquoise-coloured student is curious about new insights and quickly makes the link to higher ideals. How do these insights help me and others create a better world? This student has highly developed antennae and wants to make the world just a little more beautiful.

Yellow

A predominantly yellow-coloured teacher gives students a lot of freedom to choose subjects themselves. They also like to help students understand the theoretical side better. 

A predominantly yellow-coloured student is curious and asks many questions in order to get to the heart of the theory. This student is usually creative and often puts forward out-of-the-box solutions. 

Green 

A predominantly green-coloured teacher makes sure a positive atmosphere prevails in the classroom and strives for harmonious relationships. This people-oriented teacher senses immediately when a student is outside the group, after which they do everything possible to give that student the right attention.

A predominantly green-coloured student is interested in the opinions of other students. They like consulting and working on assignments together. This student is also more sensitive than average to a positive atmosphere in the classroom. 

Orange

A predominantly orange-coloured teacher continuously encourages students to deliver the best possible result. To that end they make sure students can focus well and help them by offering effective teaching methods.

A predominantly orange-coloured student has strong belief in their own ability. They are enterprising and ambitious and focus strongly on the final result. When that comes with good marks, they are genuinely proud of it.

Blue

A predominantly blue-coloured teacher is always well prepared and starts lessons exactly on time. They insist that students are equally punctual. They teach in a structured way and describe homework assignments clearly.

A predominantly blue-coloured student works accurately. They are ’tidy’ by nature, stick strictly to lesson times, work out assignments down to the detail and want to know clearly what is expected of them.

Red 

A predominantly red-coloured teacher keeps up the necessary pace during lessons and quickly corrects students where needed. They value a respectful attitude from students and act decisively when that is required.

A predominantly red-coloured student communicates directly and has a clear opinion. This student is often impatient and quickly becomes bored. That is why practical assignments that let them get going quickly suit them best.

Purple

A predominantly purple-coloured teacher attaches great value to the group feeling within the class. To that end they make every effort to create a safe and familiar learning environment. This teacher is the elder statesperson type who puts themselves aside in the interest of their students.

A predominantly purple-coloured student is usually not the most conspicuous classmate. They subordinate themselves to the group, put the group's interest first and are loyal to the class they belong to.

More enjoyment at work and better school results

When teachers, working from the drivers idea, properly understand what characterises their students personally, a fine first step has been taken towards getting the best out of them. A distinction does have to be made here between what ’has to’ happen according to the rules and what the student themselves ’wants’. When that happens, the teacher can deliver optimally tailored teaching, their enjoyment at work increases and their students' school results improve.