Week 4 Reflection Blog

     It has been another exciting week in my Genius Hour research and in my education of technological education. This week I have gone into more depth within my Genius Hour research question regarding the benefits of athletics for students. For example, I have learned more about the skills that one learns from participating in sports which can easily translate in the classroom. Skills like the ability to memorize, going through repetitions, and knowing how to learn helps in the classroom. I have also learned that it teaches students about competition and learning about how to work hard to be the best, something that is important to know in a competitive job market. This fosters a mindset dedicated to success which can motivate students to use that drive in the classroom despite the obstacles. On top of all this, there is also a plethora of research which discusses the benefits on mental capacity from regular physical exercise which is critical to overall wellness. Finally, I have also learned the other avenues for learning that sport participation opens up such as volunteer opportunities or chances to mentor other students in lower grades. This not only increases their social skills, but also gives them different experiences which can expand the mind.
     From this research I have learned how to become more organized and focused in my work so that I can create more concise ideas. I believe I must continue to improve this skill in order to continue to be successful in my research. This includes narrowing down the topics I want to focus on in order to create a TED talk video. From this experience I have also learned about how I attained some of the skills I possess through athletics. I now have a more thorough knowledge of how I can instill these kinds of skills to my students and players. In addition, I can now feel more confident in explaining to others about how athletics have many benefits for students who get involved. From this point onward I believe I need to create main points that I will speak of in my video and begin revising the research I have thus far.
     Here is an interesting video which outlines the research behind why sports are helpful to the body and mind. It not only provides physiological evidence as to how athletics can create these changes, but also about how  athletics can create a sense of community and help build relationships.