Research Project - Genius Hour in our Comm 11/12 Class
"A quick thought about the disconnect between how we prepare kids for work and how work actually operates:
In school, problems almost always are clearly defined, confined to a single discipline, and have one right answer.
But in the workplace, they’re practically the opposite. Problems are usually poorly defined, multi-disciplinary, and have several possible answers, none of them perfect.
Are timed, standardized tests the way to ready youngsters for real-world problem-solving?"
-Daniel Pink
In school, problems almost always are clearly defined, confined to a single discipline, and have one right answer.
But in the workplace, they’re practically the opposite. Problems are usually poorly defined, multi-disciplinary, and have several possible answers, none of them perfect.
Are timed, standardized tests the way to ready youngsters for real-world problem-solving?"
-Daniel Pink
Hello Class: I am excited to announce that we will get a chance to research anything we are interested in. With limitations, of course. As we embark on our Genius hour challenge, I am want to show you some actual research articles from University Level Professors. We will not watch the last 45 seconds as it is inappropriate for school. These are the types of questions we will avoid during our journey.
I am excited to try out a new concept that is gaining traction in Schools. It is called "Genius Hour."
Genius hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom. It provides students a choice in what they learn during a set period of time during school.
Genius Hour Origins: The search-engine giant, Google, allows it’s engineers to spend 20% of their time to work on any pet project that they want. The idea is very simple. Allow people to work on something that interests them, and productivity will go up. Google’s policy has worked so well that it has been said that 50% of Google’s projects have been created during this creative time period. Ever heard of Gmail or Google News? These projects are creations by passionate developers that blossomed from their their 20-time projects
Genius hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom. It provides students a choice in what they learn during a set period of time during school.
Genius Hour Origins: The search-engine giant, Google, allows it’s engineers to spend 20% of their time to work on any pet project that they want. The idea is very simple. Allow people to work on something that interests them, and productivity will go up. Google’s policy has worked so well that it has been said that 50% of Google’s projects have been created during this creative time period. Ever heard of Gmail or Google News? These projects are creations by passionate developers that blossomed from their their 20-time projects
Lesson - Genius Hour Sequence of Events
1. To start our Unit on "Genius Hour" we will look to the inspirational words of "Kid President" who will remind us to try new things and to work hard. You are awesome, kids! Then onto a teacher who explains the importance of "Genius Hour" and an explanation.
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2. http://www.geniushour.com/2013/03/31/genius-hour-project-introdutions/ - Intro to watch is Genius hour. As a class, we will look at some of his simple rules on a slideshow.
3. Now it is time to choose your topic. Some topics I might be interested in would be "Fishing in the area around Penticton" or "How to best Parent my Son" or "How to be Happy" "Or more information about how to use a movie making program more powerful than iMovie" "or more information on Teenage Anxiety, Depression and Mental Fitness."
Remember, research and the creation of your project need not be done on computer. Researching from an Elder, or a parent, or a professional can work as well as computer/book/academic research.
As a class, let's generate a list of topics or projects. WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT/DEVELOPING?
-Re-build an Engine
-Medicinal Uses of Plants
-Stop Smoking Website
-How to create a deer-skin drum
-How to skin a deer or prepare a bird from hunting to cooking to ceremonial/spiritual uses
-Dune Buggies
-Chalk
-Beat Boxing
-Hockey
-Working out/Exercising
-Sleep
-Zombies
-Smoking Meat
-Parkour
-Video Games
-Happiness
-Grunge rock and Country and Hiphop
-Supra (a Car)
-Snowboarding
Remember, research and the creation of your project need not be done on computer. Researching from an Elder, or a parent, or a professional can work as well as computer/book/academic research.
As a class, let's generate a list of topics or projects. WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT/DEVELOPING?
-Re-build an Engine
-Medicinal Uses of Plants
-Stop Smoking Website
-How to create a deer-skin drum
-How to skin a deer or prepare a bird from hunting to cooking to ceremonial/spiritual uses
-Dune Buggies
-Chalk
-Beat Boxing
-Hockey
-Working out/Exercising
-Sleep
-Zombies
-Smoking Meat
-Parkour
-Video Games
-Happiness
-Grunge rock and Country and Hiphop
-Supra (a Car)
-Snowboarding
4. As a class, we will decide on the presentation criteria. However, in order to ensure that we cover course concepts, the poster that you must present need to follow the criteria for a "visual design" on the government exam. The following handouts are something we will go over as a class to know what you have to do to get a great grade on the project and on the government exam. This is a duel-purpose assignment.
visual_design_analysis.pdf | |
File Size: | 60 kb |
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visual_design_exemplars_ministry.pdf | |
File Size: | 295 kb |
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visual_design_question_and_rubric.pdf | |
File Size: | 123 kb |
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5. Below is a copy of the "Genius Hour" project handout for students. This our assignment. Read over it carefully.
genius_hour_project.docx | |
File Size: | 1927 kb |
File Type: | docx |
genius_hour_project_2016_upgrade.docx | |
File Size: | 1929 kb |
File Type: | docx |
genius_hour_planning_sheet_-_from_online.pdf | |
File Size: | 31 kb |
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Practice a Government Exam Visual Design Question
1. After the project is presented (see presentation mini unit), students will write a government exam visual design question.
2. Students will receive a visual design criteria sheet. We will then take three visual designs and grade them as a class, using the rubric. Teacher will then inform students what grade it would receive by government exam markers. We will see how close they are. See above exemplars.
3. Students will read as a class, the writeup for a visual design. Then, we will practice one.
4. Write a visual design from the government exam. Submit for a grade out of 12. (Based on the rubric).
2. Students will receive a visual design criteria sheet. We will then take three visual designs and grade them as a class, using the rubric. Teacher will then inform students what grade it would receive by government exam markers. We will see how close they are. See above exemplars.
3. Students will read as a class, the writeup for a visual design. Then, we will practice one.
4. Write a visual design from the government exam. Submit for a grade out of 12. (Based on the rubric).