Genius Hour Evaluation Form

BLOG POST 8

As it is the end of my Genius Hour experience, I cannot help but reflect on the creativity and stress-free living that became available to me throughout the process. I was able to enjoy the things that I used to love, that I had lost touch with throughout the stresses and demands of post-secondary education. I got the chance to paint and draw again, which I have not done in years. I got the chance to play guitar (I even learned a new song), which got me thinking about my times in high school with my band (we were really just 3 girls with nothing better to do on a Friday night than play guitar and sing together, pretending we were rock stars of course). I got to do more yoga and exercise more, which I always say I will do and never do! I also got to work on a new passion of mine, which is the relaxing art of crocheting. 

These experiences, rated from best to worst in my Genius Hour, were great experiences to reconnect with the artist side of myself that I seemed to have lost in the last few years. Creativity is so important for students to recognize, develop, and ultimately value! I will use my beneficial Genius Hour experience to transfer this learning to my students, showing them how important creativity and finding stress-free activities is for the overall balance of life. 

BLOG POST 7

This week I researched many different links to discover what other people online found about being creative and stress free.
I have finally decided on the order of my creative and stress free activities. I have listed them from most effective to least effective and why. I have reflected on these activities. It was a great experience being able to do the things I love, while also doing a project for school!


1. Crocheting
2. Painting
3. Playing Guitar
4. Exercise
5. Yoga
6. Editing videos


I decided that a blend of activities was also very effective. For example, my most creative and least stressed moments were listening to my favourite guitar tracks, while crocheting. Blending my passions for Genius Hour was very useful for me and for my reflection.


Genius Hour is a great way to teach students about their passions and creativity. It taught me to balance my lifestyle, to value my passions, and to value my hidden creativity that I had so naturally as a child, but have lost along the way.


I enjoyed exploring Genius Hour and I will not forget how fulfilling this experience was for me.










http://tinybuddha.com/blog/feel-happy-and-stress-free-7-simple-tips-to-stay-in-the-now/


http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/avoiding-stress.html


http://www.wikihow.com/Live-a-Stress-Free-Lifestyle


http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/29-ways-stay-creative.html


http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/stay-creative-40-easy-ways.html


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacia-pierce/21-ways-to-be-and-stay-creative_b_3807472.html

Genius Hour Movie Trailer

BLOG POST 6

This week, I focused on crocheting, exercising, and making videos online. These three aspects of my project were very relaxing and encouraged creativity in many ways.


I was able to use my movie making passions during our exploration of our movie trailers. I love working with technology creating compilations of songs and editing videos. I used to do this in high school a lot with my friends. By reintroducing myself to this passion, I have renewed my love for it. it was a great experience, forcing me to be creative in a good way! However, this activity was not the most stress-free, especially when the programs were freezing or giving me other troubles.


Crocheting is one of my favourite things to do! I find it very relaxing when I am in the middle of a project, but less relaxing when I am starting a project or when I am trying to learn a new pattern. This week, I tried a new crochet pattern and, like any new learning experience, it was tough at first, but I made a baby hat and gloves, and was very happy with it in the end!


Exercising has been something that I have let fall to the wayside in terms of making time in my busy schedule. Since the weather has brightened up, I have begun running and hiking more and I feel great! Exercising has always been something that relaxes me and releases my stress from my day.


These three activities were very helpful in boosting my creativity and lowering my stress levels at this busy time!


Next week, I will work more on my movie trailer and engage in more of my chosen activities to get more experience and have more to reflect upon in terms of which activities are my favourite!

BLOG POST 5

This week, I explored YouTube videos that deal with creativity and stress relief, in terms of three of my ideas: Yoga, Colouring, and Guitar.

I chose the videos that I have used and actually completed before. The first video is a yoga video that I use very often for relaxation and digestion.
The second video is the Adult Colouring Book "The Mindfulness Colouring Book". I own this book and I colour in it when I get stressed form school and work.
The third video is a tutorial of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here". This song is one that keeps me relaxed, and is also a song I have been wanting to learn for a long time, but have not taken the time out of my busy schedule to sit down and do it. This project is allowing me to do these things as part of my school work.
Next week, I will work on the rest of my ideas of being creative and stress free and reflect on my experiences.




Yoga With Adriene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBPP_izKKSs
ASMR relaxing colouring, no talking- Paper and pencil sounds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAPLaovqkhI
Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" guitar chords tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r--wKmJmMhM

BLOG POST 4

This week, I began to reflect on my next steps of my Genius Hour project on mindfulness (the increase in creativity, and decrease in stress in everyday life). I realized that I had to do some research on this topic, along with using my personal journal reflections. I decided to research to find other people's opinions on the best activities for creativity and stress relief.

I learned that many people who document their progress on the internet, have tried the same activities that I am trying, in order to boost creativity and lessen stress (i.e. yoga was a favourite, as well as drawing and playing music). Many people also said spending time with family and friends, which I think is a very important one as well.

The trouble that I think I will have is the fact that my Genius Hour topic is so broad, and so personal, that it is hard to find factual research to improve my understanding. However, I am combatting this challenge by researching based on studies that have shown that certain activities improve creativity and lesson stress more than others.

Before my next Genius Hour, I need to complete more of my activities in question, and write my reflections on each of my experiences.

From here, I will make a conscious effort to research my Genius Hour topic, and find out which activities of creativity and anti-stress work best for me!

BLOG POST 3

This week we focused more on our Genius Hour projects and why we chose our topics. I am very excited to complete this project, because it will allow me to make time for the things I love to do again!

Today I learned which activities I will be engaging in and how I will monitor my progress. I have chosen yoga, guitar, art, crocheting, and photo/videography. I will rate these activities 1-5 and find out which makes me feel the best!

I think I will still have trouble making time for everything I want to do with my busy schedule but that is why I chose this, I want to challenge myself!

This week, my questions include: Will I be able to get everything done? Which activity will I enjoy the most? least? Which will surprise me?

From here, I will begin my activities and reflecting on their effect on me. I have already begun yoga, so hopefully I can get the rest of my more complex activities in and begin reflecting soon!

BLOG POST 2

Welcome to my blog!


My Genius Hour question is: "How can we learn to be more creative and less stressed?"

In developing my Genius Hour question, I thought about something that I could focus on that is also something that I would love to do, but do not often have the time for (especially lately with all of this job application madness!)

I am always wishing that I would take the time to de-stress from my day and unwind. I am also always wishing that I kept up with my artist and creative side, but as I travelled through university and beyond, I lost the time to do so. Well now I am going to teach myself (and you!) how to get back to learning how to be more creative and less stressed!

I will do this by thinking of my favourite creative/de-stress activities for which there does not seem to be enough time in the day anymore, like:
1. Doing art (painting, drawing, colouring, sculpting)
2. Playing music (singing, guitar, keyboard)
3. Exercising (yoga, running)
4. Crocheting
5. Watching my favourite TV shows (Friends, Seinfeld)
6. Compiling and editing video presentations

After I give myself time to enjoy and learn more about these activities again, I will record the data (my level of creativity and my level of stress) to compare each and find out which activities I found most creative and least stressful!

I hope this project gives me the opportunity to re-learn and re-love my creative side, and to be less stressed about this crazy life.



:)

Copyright

Through my research, I have learned that copyright is a topic that teachers should make themselves very familiar with because many people have misconceptions about what is and is not copyrighted on the internet for use by the public, like us teachers!

As teachers, we use resources from the internet in our lessons daily (videos, images, web links, social media supports, applications, etc.). Teachers need to recognize that any original work on the internet is protected by copyright laws, and that the copying, distributing, and displaying of this material is actually prohibited! However, in Canada we have what is known as Fair Dealing, which means that many things found on the internet can be used by people for purposes of research, criticism, and review. This information is directly noted in our handy4class article this week on Copyright for Tech-Enhanced Teaching by Candice Figg. This article explains that teachers and students should become familiar with the Creative Common license, what it means, and how it affects their own use of digital media they find on the internet.

This topic is very important, and I would teach my students using the guidelines in our Copyright Matters article for this week. These include answers to questions such as “What is fair dealing?”, and “Can teachers copy for instruction?”. Students need to learn that copyright laws cannot be overlooked and that ignoring or defying these laws has consequences.

Plougmann, L. (2012, March 17). One doesn’t have to be social all the time [Online Image]. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/criminalintent/6845667576/in/photolist-bqVQtj-4Xtgen-9ayqsd-7Cj5Uu-dVhuAM-5JUU5j-nFobwz-3mrXAe-8vBVVr-BU5gpr-8vBW22-8vBVTe-8vBW7x-88BL8U-7q5H1P-6esCV2-6MGCCn-u1Wos7-o3wN4Z-5k2wrs-vhe14-6Wp8Nk-4XtgdT-7M6JDi-4Xtgfr-97ZD6k-99AyvX-7xhTHi-EMg4o-5p2g39-ncBmoY-99AxoB-fwoBZm-5b495D-6Yv8t-5r6ss8-abfPT5-7v88uf-EMg4f-95WzW3-fefJT-bX4UVK-5raLZS-rQUau-62RZRU-7WfCEk-eenL8S-hccXHv-4vT61M-6jdFeg

Gustina, L. (2015, Sept 3). A Happy Family: Children and Computer Technology [Online Image]. Retrieved from: http://www.1sthappyfamily.com/2015/09/children-and-computer-technology.html

BLOG POST 1

Hi everyone!

My name is Miss Agro. I am 22 years old and I am currently a fifth year Concurrent Education student. I am in the Junior/Intermediate division, which means I am able to teach grades 4 to 10. My teachable subject is History, and I have minors in History and Dramatic Arts.

I am excited to learn all about technology and ways that I can make learning more fun for my future students!

If you'd like to learn more about me, check out this TED Talk. Throughout university, I have repeatedly gravitated back to this video to remind me why I decided to become a teacher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY


Thanks :)


Link to Handy4Class: http://www.handy4class.com/h4c2011/