6 Principles Of Genius Hour In The Classroom  

Genius Hour seems to be much more effective, educational method of teaching.

The traditional educational system is based on a teacher-centered model. It imposes strict standards which not all students can meet, drives them into a narrow framework of academic routine. Everyone should attend the same classes, perform the same, and develop the same interests.

However, young people have individual needs, Therefore, the traditional approach should be revised and improved.

What Genius Hour is?

Genius Hour is where teachers focus on what drives students’. Teachers then tailor what, they teach to their specific skills and character traits. This format also provides freedom of choice, encourages creativity and research.

Giving students responsibility

Young people can take part in academic planning. They can decide what and how they will learn and use the most suitable information channels. Students can set long-term and short-term goals.  Studies  stop becoming a boring duty and turn into an exciting adventure. Therefore young people absorb knowledge passionately.

Students undertake responsibility for their own academic activities.  They approach challenges with a strong desire to learn and interest. Finally they understand the importance of each lesson.

With Genius Hour, people study and work because they want it. Students who are free to express their own opinion and initiatives are usually happier, have better academic performance, develop leadership qualities, and strive to find out more about their subjects.

What is the difference?

Since there are many innovative educational trends today, Genius Hour is often confused with other approaches, for example, user-generated and self-directed learning. These formats are more open than Genius Hour, extend learners’ freedom and independence to the whole educational process. With Genius Hour, young people do not deviate from the system and show initiative within a general learning schedule.

There is a long-term academic plan, and everyone should stick to it, showing  results at the end of a term. However, students may decide what they would do at stages in between in order to reach goals in this plan. Typically, a teacher provides a topic of a lesson and allows learners to choose from different activities. I. E. information sources (textbook, video, presentation). This is how Genius Hour works.

As a result, young people spend their school time in preferred ways. Young people will study their own capabilities, always stay motivated, and get support from the educational system when facing some challenges.

Experts from Pro-Papers have compiled the list of basic principles which should help teachers to implement Genius Hour in a classroom.

6 principles of Genius Hour

1. Sense of purpose

Most young people think that their academic responsibilities are a heavy burden. Furthermore, students have no desire to go to lectures in the morning and do homework, such as do my homework, in the evening. They will use every chance to cheat and do nothing. Students will study to avoid punishment and not to gain knowledge. However, it is worth reminding students that they attend classes for their own good, to achieve a successful and happy adult life.

Education should become a deliberate choice, and each assignment should be performed with a sense of purpose.

Personal motivation is much stronger than academic coercion. Students’ work would reach a new level of quality if they understand what for certain things are done and studied. Both teachers and learners should come to a class to enjoy the educational process and not just fulfill formal requirements.

2. Design

Students are free to choose learning content with the most suitable design. They can use a variety of information sources, and get unique in-class experiences. Nobody forces them to perform unloved assignments or read boring textbooks if they do not want it.

3. Inquiry & navigation

Genius Hour has much in common with inquiry-based learning. Students survey their own capabilities, determine knowledge gaps, conduct extensive research in weak areas. They navigate through information and collect data relating to their academic needs. Students get an idea of concepts which are more interesting and important to them.

4. Creating

Note-taking, reading textbooks, and other types of passive learning do not provide such effects as hands-on experience and practical exercises. When working with hypothetical problems and real-life cases, young people not only absorb but also create knowledge. Teachers may ask learners to perform projects, make models and design and publish something so that  young people see visible products of their work.

5. Socialisation

Students interact with educators to plan actions and overcome challenges, with peers to share impressions and gain teamwork skills, with community members to demonstrate their achievements and establish a sense of purpose.

6. 80/20 rule

Of course, Genius Hour cannot fully replace traditional academic activities. Lectures, seminars, and homework are indispensable parts of the educational process. Experts recommend allocating 20% of school time for Genius Hour. It may be one day per week, one lesson per day, or 10 minutes per lesson. Each teacher is free to choose a schedule which suits one and one’s students best.