MBTI: Type in Student Development

As I prepare for my student leader retreat next month, I appreciate utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) for program development.  As a Type practitioner, I have long used the MBTI to facilitate the transition to college in my first-year seminar.  I reintroduce Type in my leadership courses for comprehension of differences and strengths development.

Understanding new methods of instruction in the college or university can be challenging for any new student and is especially so for my students from small, rural high schools.  Type assessment in the first-year seminar helps students understand their preferences for learning and methods that will enhance individual learning.  Reviewing the principles of Type for my student leaders promotes understanding of diversity and differing work styles.  These skills become important as they engage in event planning and classroom activities for different learners.

Breanne Potter describes one of my favorite MBTI activities, the Living Type Table (LTT).  The LTT is a great practical exercise that gets students on their feet while demonstrating that learning and work style differences are real.  The activity shows that Type is systematic by sorting participants based on responses to Type specific questions.  For example:

When learning something new, do you like to:  Talk out your thoughts?  -OR-  Keep your thoughts inside?

When learning something new, do your prefer:  Solid facts? -OR- Intriguing Concepts?

Building the grid and moving into the 16 areas of the LTT is a fun activity that helps students define personal preferences in work and learning styles.  Check with your Human Resources office to partner with a trained MBTI facilitator on your campus or seek a referral from the Association for Psychological Type.

Comments

[Breanne Potter]

Thank you so much for linking to me! I'm glad you liked the post on the Living Type Table (my favorite MBTI activity).

I think the MBTI should be heavily used in college. If I'd understood my type preferences more back then I might have avoided several excrutiating years in a PhD program! Thinking of a thesis/dissertation topic didn't appeal to me as an ISTJ. If I knew then what I know now....

[Debra Sanborn]

I agree, Breanne. Although not all of my students immediately grasp the application of Type, it is fun to see the lightbulbs go off when a connection is made. Thanks!

[Brian Root]

I've been heavily thinking about the MBTI lately. I want to implement it into my Resident Assistant training this year.

[Debra Sanborn]

I think that is a great idea, Brian. Segments of our Residence Life community have used the instrument. The staff training has had an MBTI module for many years and several hall directors utilized with student staff. Let me know how it works for you!

[Christine]

Hi,

Thanks for your blog. It is great;
May I suggest, if you read French, to have a look to INDIVIDUATION Magazine ( a blog dedicated to Jung) ?
http://developpementsjunguiens.blogspot.com

By the way, I have been using MBTI for years with my students. But since I discovered the IJTI-Proces instrument wich is much more reliable I changed my mind. The IJTI-Process means : Individuation & Jungian Type Identification-Process. This tool is much more confortable for students because it includes questions in relation with their age and different parts of their life.

OTT Partners Ltd in London is the publisher of the IJTI-Process. Many business schools and universities prefere the IJTI-Process now.
To use this type instrument you need to be qualified. OTT Partners Ltd provides qualifying seminars in England, Ireland, France, Belgium ...
Contact : ott.partners@lycos.co.uk

Regards,
Christine

[Debra Sanborn]

Thanks for your comments, Christine. I appreciate your insight to the IJTI.

[Neil Bowden]

If you want to implement the jungian typology in your school or college, may I suggest you to think about the IJTI-Process.

We have been using this questionnaire for years in Business Schools in France and the questionnaire is now available in English and German.

OTT Partners Ltd is the exclusive publisher of the IJTI-Process.
As a teacher or a professor you can become qualified to use the IJTI-Process. OTT Partners will offer very special conditions to you.
If you want to become a Training Partner or a distributor of the IJTI-Process in your country, please feel free to contact me :
ott.partners@yahoo.co.uk

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