Asset-based instruction

Assets are defined as important relationships, skills, opportunities and values that young people can build on to help them be successful in school (and life).

Assets or strengths based approaches begin with the proposition that all students have strengths and areas for growth, and that it is easier to improve by building on strengths than it is to fix a gap. The reverse is also true, if students consistently messages about their gaps or deficiencies, it is difficult to be motivated or inspired by learning. Students who struggle in particular academic areas may internalize messages that they are "low performing" or "far below standard," inherently deficit oriented labels.

Once we know students' strengths, we can design differentiated learning strategies that are tailored to their individual needs. Knowing, for example, that a student with autism will probably do better with small details than with the big picture, a teacher can design lessons that begin with concrete examples and then move toward generalities. Understanding that students with ADHD are often more playful and physical than their peers enables teachers to create learning strategies that integrate games, role-play, and hands-on exploration into academic lessons. Realizing that students with learning disabilities may often show artistic tendencies, a teacher can integrate drawing, cartooning, or other art-related activities into reading and writing assignments.

Sources

Armstrong, T. (2012). First, Discover Their Strengths. Educational Leadership, 70(2).

Scales, P. C., Benson, P. L., Roehlkepartain, E. C., Sesma Jr, A., & van Dulmen, M. (2006). The role of developmental assets in predicting academic achievement: A longitudinal study. Journal of Adolescence, 29(5), 691-708.

The term "asset-based analysis" is in the rubric for the learner and learner differences performance assessment. I googled the term and found the article below which might be helpful to others. I haven't read it thoroughly and can't make comments but thought I would share. - Anne Bijur 10/31/14