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!
Wednesday, 27 January 2016
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
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!
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
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.
:)
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.
:)
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
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.
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
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
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/
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