Five great reasons why why LEADPrep will be using Genius Hour this year.
1. Students will dive head first into a topic that inspires them
One of the major issues faced by schools today is covering a wide breadth of information, instead of allowing students to get a real depth of knowledge. Students using Genius Hour delve into subject matter that means something to them, often times taking their free time at home to learn more.
2. There is so much positive peer pressure
Students share with the entire class what they are working on. Publicly announcing what they are trying to accomplish makes the goal real. Students get to see what their peers are working on and want to make sure their project stands up to the rest of the class. Regardless of a grade being attached to the project, this makes for students going the extra mile
3. It’s fun!
Randy Pausch famously said, “If you think you can’t learn and have fun at the same time, then I don’t think you have a good understanding of either.” Student feedback shows without a doubt Genius Hour provides the best times of the week. Their work often carries back to their homes where parents/guardians share their passion for learning beyond the school walls.
4. It’s differentiation at its best
Because each project differs, students are not bogged down by following the same steps as their classmates. Students learn at their best pace and ability.The entire class is learning, but it is truly differentiated.
5. You learn by what you do, not by what you hear
Experiential and challenge-based learning puts the mastery back into the students’ hands. Teachers provide guidance and pushes along the way, but students are the ones “doing” and “making.” Confucius put it perfectly. He said “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
(paraphrased from John Spencer’s blog The Creative Classroom. Read his whole blog post here.)
