Genius Hour
a.k.a 20% Time or Fed Ex Days
Embedded Files
The Why:
The Why:
This is the first time I've taught the IDC 4U Leadership Course. Part way through the course I took the time to learn more about Genius Hour and thought I would like to try it. It was an 'afterthought' to my original set up of the course so I threw it in at the end of the year. It produced varying results... but was a great starting point for future use.
Influences:
Influences:
Daniel Pink refers to Fed Ex Days in his book 'Drive'. We cover this when we talk about Intrinsic Motivation in the class.
I participated in A.J. Juliani's online Webinar to learn more about Genius Hour as applied to classrooms and was inspired to try this method in my class.
What Really Happened
What Really Happened
Upon pitching the idea to my class, they were at first a bit confused at the concept. One of my students had participated in one last semester with a fellow colleague (Danielle Giles) and reassured her classmates that this experience was valuable.
Each student had to pitch his / her topic to their classmates for approval and then 20% of the Class Time was allotted for them to produce for the World to see.
The results were varied as I introduced this activity towards the end of the semester when some focused on getting outstanding work done vs. their Genius Hour.
The students however enjoyed the process and ability to learn and produce work of their own interest.
Student Feedback
Student Feedback
- Students are excited to be able to learn about a topic chosen by them and to direct their own learning.
- They thought it was strange, but enjoyed their time to investigate a topic of their own.
- They recommend it be introduced earlier and throughout the semester.
Future Considerations
Future Considerations
- I would definitely introduce this idea earlier in the semester and spread the dates throughout the semester.
- I would give more of a guideline on submission amounts as it can be seen that their efforts varied.
- I would definitely try it again and love that I now have exemplars to use
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