GenYES - Scheduling the Class or Club
GenYES is designed to be both comprehensive and flexible. Based on the experience of hundreds of widely varying GenYES classrooms around the country, the curriculum can support your unique school situation.
-
Elementary
U.S. Department of Education Expert Technology Panel "Exemplary" Rating Of GenYES
"... the course is supported with an array of resources (some online) for coordinating teachers that can be adapted for different school settings serving all populations using virtually any hardware/software infrastructure."
" The course materials have been used successfully from upper elementary through high school levels and include materials for administrators, partner-teachers, coordinating teachers, and parents."
- Middle School
- High School
- Trade Centers/Alternative Schools
- Library/Media Centers
GenYES can be run either as a club or a class.
Elementary
Typically, in elementary schools GenYES is a club. It can be scheduled before or after school or during lunch. It can be run as a pull-out, but this can be disruptive. The GenYES club runs the entire year, usually starting a short time after school starts, and completing a month of so before school ends. Students as early as grade 3 have successfully completed the class, although they are usually recommended by teachers as being independent enough to handle it.
If run as a before or after school class, allow about 3 hours per week for at least 30 weeks. This will allow the class to have a full GenYES experience and be able to complete their projects over the year.
- Curriculum is adapted for elementary levels and timeframe. Every unit has suggestions for leveling the activities and special resources for elementary classes.
- GenYES students can work with partner-teachers at any grade level.
| Elementary Timeline | |
|---|---|
| August/October | send out notices, select students, form class |
| October/November/December | start club, prepare for GenYES partnerships and tech support |
| January | meet with partner teacher and plan projects, start providing tech support for teachers |
| February/March | develop and complete projects |
| April/May | deliver and evaluate projects |
May/June |
culminating activities, parent night, awards and certificates presented |
Middle School
Middle school is an especially rewarding age range to deliver GenYES, as the students are extremely capable with technology, and at the same time, searching for who they are. For some students, GenYES teaches responsibility and how their hard work creates opportunities for them. Being a valued member of a learning community can bring out qualities in students that might otherwise be hidden.
Scheduling a Class - In middle school, GenYES is most effective as a semester requirement or elective. Daily instruction plus in-class time to work on projects ensures that the students are actively engaged and working. The curriculum is aligned with the ISTE NETS for students standards, and exceeds them in most areas. If your district or state has a required technology class, a service-learning requirement, or you need a technology rotation component, GenYES can meet this requirement.
Club - Some middle schools do GenYES as an extra-curricular activity. Although this avoids scheduling challenges, it may be harder to sustain. Since a club often requires a stipend for the teacher/advisor, it can cost more. It is helpful if they can receive credit or service learning credit, or work towards an internship.
Extending the GenYES Experience - Is is common for GenYES graduates to retake GenYES a second time (or more!). The GenYES program can be tailored to allow for extended projects, more advanced tech support, and more in depth technology learning. Every time a student takes the class they can learn more about technology, teaching, and the school's technology needs.
High School
High schools across the country have delivered successful GenYES classes. This curriculum has been used in technology classes as an alternative to business application classes for students who can show mastery of those subjects. It also can serve as a complementary course to highly technical classes, as GenYES is specially designed to focus on the "soft" skills that are so important in the workplace today.
Scheduling a Class - In high school, GenYES is most effective as a semester requirement or elective. Daily instruction plus in-class time to work on projects ensures that the students are actively engaged and working. The curriculum is aligned with the ISTE NETS for students standards, and exceeds them in most areas. If your district or state has a required technology class, a service-learning requirement, or you need a technology rotation component, GenYES can meet this requirement.
Club - Some high schools do GenYES as an extra-curricular activity. Although this avoids scheduling challenges, it may be harder to sustain. Since a club often requires a stipend for the teacher/advisor, it can cost more. High school students are very busy and it might be more difficult for students to devote time to a club. It is helpful if they can receive credit or service learning credit, or work towards an internship.
Extending the GenYES Experience - Is is common for GenYES graduates to retake GenYES a second time (or more!). The GenYES program can be tailored to allow for extended projects, more advanced tech support, and more in depth technology learning. Every time a student takes the class they can learn more about technology, teaching, and the school's technology needs.
Trade Schools/ School to Work Programs
GenYES classes are extremely effective in these schools. Project-based learning can show students that academics are relevant, and can spark interest in teaching as a career. Students will learn to use technology from a teaching and learning standpoint.
Computer Club/Library/Media Centers
GenYES classes often are held in the schools' computer lab, library or media center. As schools do away with the traditional computer lab, the library may have a concentration of computers that the GenYES class can use.
If this is your situation, it is often helpful if the librarian or media specialist is included in the GenYES training session so that they can understand the goals and unique format of the class.
