The GenYES Experience
The GenYES experience as seen by each of the participants in the process.
GenYES Student
GenYES Parent
GenYES Teacher
Partner-Teacher
Administrator
Quotes
"While I truly appreciate the value of technology and the amazing capabilities it has brought to our lives, it is neither my forte nor my focus as a member of GenYES. My vision is for the improvement of education, and I very strongly believe that the collaboration between students, teachers and families created by the program is the key to building a model of learning that will strengthen our world as GenYES (and those that follow) comes of age."
Emily McCartan - GenYES Student
The GenYES Student Experience
The GenYES student will participate in authentic project-based learning.
- Students are introduced to the GenYES concepts in their GenYES class or club.
- Students are taught technical and collaboration skills.
- Students are paired with a partner-teacher.
- Students and partner-teachers meet and plan project.
- Students enter the project plan into the online project planning tools.
- Students work on projects during GenYES class or club.
- Students continue to learning technical skills while working on projects
- Students periodically check in with partner-teacher to show progress, show teacher technology and discuss project.
- Partner Teacher delivers lesson to their class with the support of their GenYES student.
- Students and Partner Teacher feel empowered by their success!
- Students go on to help other teachers and provide tech support for school.
Quotes
"The kids gain so much confidence over the semester. They have been able to help us school wide with computer deployments and setting up profiles. They have been very valuable."
"We had some terrific projects completed, and when other teachers saw what our students had done, they wanted to know how they could be a part of our program."
"The staff has been very positive in their feedback and the waiting list of kids wanting into the class is huge. I think this says a lot about how well it is going."
Teachers responding to NWREL evaluation studies
The GenYES Lead Teacher Experience
The GenYES teacher is the teacher who teaches the GenYES class. They receive support and coaching from Generation YES to make sure the class is a success.
GenYES teachers are not necessarily technology teachers, many successful programs have been delivered by teachers with little or no technology expertise. In fact, it is important that you do not provide all the answers for the students. The most important ingredient for a GenYES teacher is the ability to step out of the lecture role into that of a facilitator. Collaborative learning is meant to empower the student to find their own answers - with help from a skilled teacher.
- GenYES teachers receive hands-on training from Generation YES staff to familiarize them with the philosophy, tools and support system they will rely on.
- GenYES teachers use the Implementation Guide to plan the GenYES class.
- GenYES teachers use the Activity Guides and/or Curriculum to teach GenYES students.
- GenYES teachers help find partner-teachers for GenYES students.
- GenYES teachers assign technology project requests from teachers to trained GenYES students.
- GenYES teachers facilitate the project process throughout the term of the class.
- GenYES teachers receive evaluation data from the Northwest Regional Education Lab to show the results of the program.
- GenYES teachers receive accolades from their peers and administrators for the incredible success of the program and the increase in technology integration in the school.
Quotes
"Megan was always excited to go to GenYES on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I don't recall a time she wasn't excited about going to GenYES.
This program has real value not only for skill reasons but for other personal growth reasons as well. I want to thank you for this opportunity for Megan and sincerely hope that other kids have the opportunity to experience GenYES as well in the future."
Kathleen McNamara - Parent
The GenYES Parent Experience
Your student is participating in an innovative program that has been proven to improve student learning through the use of technology. In the GenYES class, your student will learn both technology and people skills. Using these skills, they will work on projects with a teacher-partner that will enhance their own learning experiences and those of other students in the school. Depending on your school, your student may also participate in tech support, community service and other leadership programs. Through GenYES, students understand the contribution they can make to their schools and communities.
Students often come away from their GenYES experience with a sense of empowerment and greater understanding of their active role in the educational process.
You may experience the GenYES class as less structured than other classes, however, this is not unusual for a project-based class. Your child is learning valuable skills not only in technology, but in project management and collaboration. These are not things they can absorb in a lecture, but must learn by doing. You may see your child try to do things, such as programming, that you would not expect for their age. Don't be surprised when they exceed everyone's expectations, including their own.
Quotes
"It was a wonderful learning experience for me!"
"[GenYES] helped me become more comfortable working with technology because I feel confident my GenYES students can help me out when I'm in trouble."
"This has been a wonderful experience for myself. I can't wait to use what I learned with my class next year!"
Partner-teachers responding to NWREL evaluation studies
The GenYES Partner-Teacher Experience
Many partner-teachers are initially leery about participating in GenYES. Will it take too much time? Will it be a waste of time? Will the student be able to do anything useful? And even worse, some teachers are "volunteered" without their consent. It may seem like another one of the endless schemes that just take up time and result in nothing.
However, if you are a partner teacher with a GenYES student you will be participating in a program that has been carefully designed and developed to meet your needs. Your participation time is minimal - the average partner teacher reports that they spend 3 hours per semester class on the GenYES project. In time, however, you may come to rely on the support that GenYES students can provide.
- Meet with your GenYES student partner.
- Decide what lesson/unit will be infused with technology.
- Check in with you partner-student periodically to provide suggestions and feedback during the project preparation
- Prepare for the delivery of the lesson
- Upon completion, evaluate the success of the project.
- Reuse new technology-infused lesson.
- Continue to rely on GenYES students to help integrate technology in your classroom.
Quotes
"It was a wonderful learning experience for me!"
"The most memorable part of the experience for both students and teachers was the collaboration process. The interaction between GenYES students and partner teachers was beneficial to both."
Jim Shireman
Instructional Technology Leader
The Administrative Experience
Administrators are crucial to the success of the GenYES experience. Our evaluation studies show that a supportive administration greatly increases the success of GenYES programs in their schools. Your support of the program will reap great rewards, including increased technology integration in your school, additional student support resources to help your technology program, increased student involvement in the educational goals of the school and much more.
This is not a "quick fix" solution to all problems - nothing that really works every is. But taking the time and making the effort to support GenYES is worth it. As a company and as dedicated educators we are committed to your success. We invite you to attend the GenYES training session and use the resources of the GenYES support staff throughout the term of the class. We are here to help you in the support of your GenYES program and your school.
