Genius Hour Part II - Investigating My Options

As I said in my previous post, here is my shortlist:

1.   Learn to speak Portuguese
2.   Delve into the world of podcasting
3.   Investigate recreational boating 

Seeing this diverse list, may leave you wondering, "How in the world did you come up with that list?"  Well, there is a method behind my madness, sort of.

Option 1:  Tchao.  Tu do bem?  Hello.  Are you good? - Learn to speak Portuguese.

Once, twice, three times is the charm, so they say.  I have tried a couple of times to learn Brazilian Portuguese - to no avail.  I can understand a few phrases and say a couple of phrases.  Through my family and church, I have several friends that are Brazilian.  They all speak English, but occasionally when they are together, they "slip" into Portuguese mode.  I find myself saying, "What did she just say?"  and "Huh, what did he say?"  I would love to be able to understand what they are saying and join in the conversation.  Maybe now is the time to finally learn.

Of course, my mind immediately thought about how I could possibly begin to learn Portuguese in a few weeks.  I spoke to a friend of mine who offers group Portuguese lessons that I could participate in.  Actually, this friend sought me out for my ed-tech help a few months ago.  After offering her some advice, she now pushes out her course to students using Google Classroom and flipped video lessons.  She also uses Quizlet for students to study.  These user-friendly and asynchronous tools may be just what I need to be successful this time around.  I also have a previous Duolingo account that I could begin to use again.  Additionally, my friends would help me by forcing me to have conversations.  Maybe I'll even crack open the 2 workbooks, now collecting dust, I purchased in my previous attempts to learn a new language as well.  Quite possibly, I would actually use them this time.

 

Option 2:  Thanks for Listening! - Delve into the World of Podcasting

Within the last year, I have become totally obsessed with listening to podcasts.  Mostly, I listen to podcasts as I drive to and from work.  Google Teacher Tribe, 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, The Shake Up Learning Show, EDU Chat Podcast, and The Cult of Pedagogy are a few of my favorites for great professional development on the go.  Creating a podcast would be a great way for students to share their learning.  Dare I even think about taking such a risk myself and sharing my thoughts and ideas about education?

To investigate this topic a bit, surprise, surprise, I listened to several podcasts about podcasting.  Both The Shake Up Learning Show and Cult of Pedagogy podcasts had podcasts about podcasting which provided a lot of helpful information and resources.  I also branched out from the education podcasts which I normally listen to and checked out a few family and couples podcasts, Our Big Little Life and Taking Sides.  They gave me ideas but also scared me a bit.  What do I have to say that people would want to listen to?  I'd have to think about that more.

Option 3:  The Sea is Calling. - Investigate Recreational Boating

The sea has been calling my husband for quite a few years now.  First, he was obsessed with sailing.  He purchased a run-down sailboat and spent at least a year restoring it before it was even seaworthy.  That was fine.  He enjoyed the fixer-upper hobby, and it didn't require this landlubber to hit the waves.  Once the boat was seaworthy, that's when the trouble began.  Family outings took to the seas (or lakes) which made me very nervous.  I know nothing about boating - let alone sailing with actual sails and rigging and rudders and keels.  Relaxing days at sea - not so relaxing for me.  Now he's abandoned the power of the wind for the power of motors, and this voice from beyond has called out to my daughter as well.  Me, I've never been so interested in boating, but I am very interested in my family and family adventures.  My thought process here is that learning more about boating would make me more comfortable with it and help me enjoy our family time for years to come.


So, what did we do?  Of course, my family and I attended the Chicago Boat, RV, & Sail Show at McCormick Place to walk around, see what is out there, talk to some experts, and have a good time.  While there we were able to climb aboard various vessels, poke around to see the options available and talk to those in the know about what might suit our needs.  For the heck of it, we climbed aboard the pipe dream vessels with all the bells and whistles that you only afford if you are featured on the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.  I also read a bunch of the literature we picked up at the boat show and did some online research about options for our family's needs and wants.

Ultimately, if I'm going to invest several hours a week on learning something new, I want it to be spent on something that will make me happy and draw my family even closer.  Check out my next blog post to see if you figured out what I'll be learning about in the upcoming weeks.

Genius Hour Part 1 - Brainstorming Topics

In an attempt to explore the idea and power of Genius Hour, I have decided to fully immerse myself in the experience.  My first reaction was complete terror which will help me empathize with how my students probably would feel.  That feeling of being overwhelmed with ideas and not knowing which direction to go.

  
It has been so long since I dedicated time to something that I, me, myself, alone has wanted to learn and explore that I drew a complete and utter blank.  As a working mom, most of my time is spent taking care of the needs of others - my family and my students.  That leaves very little time for myself or things I am interested in.  

I know.  I know.  That isn't healthy.  I agree, but it has been my reality for about a year and a half now; thus my reaction.  This is my opportunity to change that.

So, after some brainstorming, here is my shortlist:

1.   Tchao.  Tu do bem? - Learn to speak Portuguese
2.   Thanks for Listening! - Delve into the world of podcasting
3.   The Sea is Calling. - Investigate recreational boating 

Now comes the hard part.  Which one to choose?  Stay tuned.