Genius Hour: Week 2

Genius Hour Progress

This week I focused on figuring out how I could share critique with my rowers using the Technique app. Within the app, there is a built-in comment and share feature. I commented on one of the videos I had taken and shared it with myself using my e-mail address. Below you can see a screenshot of my computer screen, with the comment I provided highlighted in a red box.

I found this to be a great way to share videos with my athletes. Once the video is shared with my athletes, I discovered they even have the ability to share the video on social media or getting an embed code to share it on a blog or website. The embed code was particularly interesting to me, as we use a blog as our primary mode of communication. Using the embed code, I can embed videos of athletes on our blog as seen below.

However, I did come across an obstacle when it comes to sharing reference lines, such as those I had explored last week. I found the reference line to be a key feature for helping athletes visualize technical flaws in body positioning. Using the built-in share features of the Technique app, you are unable to save and share the reference lines you draw on the image. Definitely not an ideal feature, as I do not often have time to individually view and go over footage with my athletes. It would seem that I would lose a key feature of the app by relying solely on the built-in share options.

It then occurred to me that I can combine the Technique share options with our already in use blog, in order to maintain the use of the reference line drawing feature. I can embed the video as above, but can also embed screenshots of my phone where I have drawn the line as below.

In the image above, you can see I have focused again on my back at full compression. I have drawn a red line to serve as a reference point. I can then progress the video a few frames and take another screenshot as seen below.

In the above photo, I have initiated the stroke while maintaining a bit more of a consistent angle than last week. By combining my own personal platform with the built-in share options, I can now more effectively communicate technical flaws with athletes outside of practice.

Next week I would like to examine a different filming device. I have access to a GoPro and would like to explore importing video into the Technique app from the computer. I will also explore the market of sporting apps to see if I can find another free app that will allow me to save and share reference lines without needing to take and share screenshots.

Educational Technology

One of the most fascinating activities we have been exploring so far is the Genius Hour project. I have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to explore a passion project I normally would struggle to find time for. Yet, I am not sure how I would adapt the Genius Hour concept to fit in a senior level high school course. All of the senior level physics courses in Ontario are dense. I would lose quite a bit of class time by allocating a period to a student passion project every week. I could see myself assigning Genius Hour style projects with a set focus, such as building a Rube Goldberg machine or the more open-ended build something that makes a sound, as I could make the project curriculum specific. However, I worry that by assigning a project focus I have taken away the student creativity and passion of Genius Hour. I do think the Genius Hour project would fit well into a grade 9 or 10 courses. The curriculum is a bit more flexible in those courses which would allow for some room for a more open-ended project.

On the whole, I am really enjoying learning more about educational technology. I had already explored and used some technology features in my first practicum. Through this course, I have been able to develop a larger tool kit that I am excited to apply on my next block and in my future career.