The Highs and Lows of Genius Hour
Working through this process was a great experience to help me better understand the highs and lows students experience when they embark on a Genius Hour Project.
It was helpful for me to determine a weekly time frame to dedicate to this project. Knowing how much time I needed each week made it possible for me to devote time to the project. If life happened to interfere, I knew I had to make up those minutes at another time during the week. Staying on track throughout the process kept me motivated. Once I determined my project and based on my timeframe, I created an outline of milestones to accomplish during the project. That was extremely helpful for me. I knew what I wanted to get to within my allotted time and I purposefully left some of the more fun topics toward the end to keep me going throughout the project. Not every milestone was met according to schedule, but they are all well on the way to being met.
Spending time in conversation and collaboration while part of my time would be spent working alone was a nice balance for me. Who likes to work alone all the time? It was not only, more fun, but it was encouraging to have someone to discuss ideas with and bounce ideas off of.
It didn't take me to long into my online boating course to discover that I prefer learning with live, audio or video resources. The online course, I took was great as far as the content. But, every time I logged in to work on it, I wished it included more videos or audio to deliver the content. I was wanting to talk to or watch an expert who could pass on his/her wisdom to me. Sitting and reading each slide and waiting until each slide timed out before moving on to the next slide did not match my learning style. I found myself in arguments that I could not win with an online course that just did not listen to or care about my learning needs.
Throughout the process, I can't say I felt frustrated beyond my time constraints. I enjoyed the topic I chose to learn about; I mostly enjoyed the ways I chose to research and investigate my topic and having a partner to collaborate with kept me motivated. Learning online is where it's at for me. While learning at my own pace, I ultimately have a deadline to accomplish my goal.
I can see the stops where kids could get stuck in the mire, and I now feel that I have a better understanding of how to help them help themselves get "unstuck."
Passing my Boat Safety Course
Well, I did it. I passed my IL Boating Online Safety Course on the first attempt with a 100%. I'm so proud of myself. I feel like I really did learn a lot about the safe operation of a motorboat and how to handle the numerous potential dangers involved.
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Final Exam Passed
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Sounds like your boating class was a little like the GNC training. I agree that I too enjoy my project when there is a balance of doing some of it alone and some of it with others. I also created a timeline for myself to keep me on track. This would definitely be essential for our students as well. When we first started my own genius, I was skeptical as to its benefits, but now I see many of the same things as you: kids may want to work together or at least have someone to check in with, timelines and deadlines for accountability, and a balance of ways to learn or that match their learning style. I can see how providing this would help to make Genius Hour much more successful for students.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what went through my mind as I took the boat safety course. GCN training videos. The boat course did have a bit more engaging videos to watch and graphics used though. I agree that going through this process myself has really helped me to work out kinks that students might experience. Now I can be more proactive in planning for their success.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project! I totally agree with Robin-- it sounds like your class was a little bit too much like GCN training, but way to stick with it!
-Meghan
The struggle is real. I feel the productive struggle. Now I know how the kids feel.
DeleteWoo hoo! Congrats on passing your test, Lorene!! I totally relate to your learning style struggles. I definitely need audio and visual support to help me learn! I think it's such a good idea that you kept some of the more interesting topics until the end. What a great way to think ahead so you could ensure that you would make it past the dip!
ReplyDeleteSo proud and GLAD to be done with that course. Now I'm ready for summer to arrive so we can get out on the water.
DeleteYou are just like Spongebob(except he couldn't pass the boating test)! You definitely took on a very big project and of course you followed through and put forth your best effort! I did the same thing you did. I felt this project allowed me to step into the students shoes. I am so type A and open ended puts me into a panic. I see the same happen with my type A students.
ReplyDeleteSo very true. I can completely understand what students go through, and I think I now know how to better support them through the process.
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