Learning is More than Academic
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Perhaps the most important skill any student can learn is to think through a problem, and be able to apply those problem solving skills to any new situation. Many students today are frequently relying on their teachers and parents to immediately provide answers to difficult problems, and as a result, they are not learning to properly diagnose an issue and think critically through potential solutions.
N-GENioUS Learning teaches students how to analyze, evaluate, and interpret the massive amounts of information they receive on a daily basis. Students will learn to make decisions based on the details available to solve problems independently. They will acquire skills and experiences they can draw from for the rest of their lives. Eventually these skills will become second nature, making them more efficient and less dependent on others for solutions to difficult questions. Our goal is to create independent thinkers who can formulate their own conclusions based on the facts of the situation and ideas presented to them.
Communication Skills
Effective communication is an essential part of any student’s education and N-GENioUS Academy teaches students how to effectively communicate their thoughts within a group, while actively listening to the ideas of others. N-GENioUS has developed lesson plans which help students respectfully debate and defend their own positions, while recognizing and appreciating the values and opinions of others. Various methods of communication are stressed, including oral, written, non-verbal, and electronic. Every student is allowed to form and test their own ideas in an open dialogue with their peers, teachers and project sponsors.
Organization
Students and adults alike continually struggle with the management and organization of their environment. The ability to simultaneously keep things in order and successfully complete a multitude of tasks is a major life skill. At N-GENioUS we know an organized student will be more successful because they can keep up with their ever-challenging curriculums, and not get overwhelmed by their daily tasks. We give students the tools needed to organize their thoughts, tasks, and creativity, as they become involved in challenging, real world projects.
Leadership and Teamwork
Too often in today’s educational framework, students are taught that success means competition rather than cooperation. They are asked to focus on themselves and their academic pursuits, without taking into consideration the ideas, and success’ of the people around them.
At N-GENioUS Academy, students will be asked to direct brainstorming activities, take on leadership roles, and be assigned to various support functions within a team. This mixture of responsibility will give students the broadest experiences and teach the importance of how leaders and workers are equally significant within any team.
Work Ethic
At N-GENioUS, we encourage the basic value of a good work ethic, and help students learn to remove obstacles and typical excuses for not completing their assignments. Where many education facilities are afraid to step up to this challenge, we embrace it as an important part of the educational experience. We know how invaluable hard work can be, and will encourage our students to meet the challenge head on. Each curriculum we offer asks students to stretch themselves beyond their comfort zone and they are rewarded for their efforts. Students will experience an immediate satisfaction from accomplishing short term goals with a strong work ethic, and our hope is that they carry the trait with them throughout their life.
Confidence
“Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new” - Albert Einstein.
N-GENioUS embraces this same philosophy for the students we work with. Our classes do not provide easy answers; instead we ask the tough questions. We help develop the confidence our students need to take risks, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes and try again. We believe that a confident student is a more successful student, and this confidence will empower them to succeed in life. More importantly we strongly believe that a person who becomes confident at an early age is more likely to participate in the activities they believe in, rather than giving into what their peers perceive as a priority.
Self-motivation
Self motivation is an important and ongoing aspect of life. From doing your homework as a student, to getting up for work in the morning as an adult, self-motivation can be a struggle for many people. At N-GENioUS, one of the many learning advantages from our project based studies is the way in which students get involved, both intellectually and emotionally to their assignments. When a student is involved in something interesting, realistic and challenging, they start to dedicate time and energy to their assignments, not only inside, but outside of the classroom as well. Suddenly the student is not only engaged in learning, but they are actively taking responsibility for their own education, and ultimately their future success in life.
Accountability & Adaptability
Participants at N-GENioUS are held accountable for their successes as well as their setbacks. We help our students understand the importance of their actions and encourage them to hold themselves responsible. Through our cooperative, project-based learning environment, we encourage our teachers to allow children to occasionally fail. Of course, they are right there to help them learn from their experience, but we feel that students need to understand the importance and consequences of their own mistakes. These mistakes are then the driving force for the advancement of their education, and contribute to the overall success of their accomplishments
Citizenship and Volunteerism
N-GENioUS understands the value of being a contributing member of the community, and we have integrated that value into our educational philosophy. With our highly interactive project based offerings, N-GENioUS gives students a unique opportunity to work hand in hand with community leaders in their local area.
Much of our project-based curriculum is community focused and directly correlates with local resources. Whether it is working on projects for non-profit organizations, or volunteering with local charities, we embrace the opportunity to involve the community. We partner students with organizations who are helping make our community a better place to live. Through these connections, students have a chance to make a positive difference and our hope is it will inspire them to become a part of something bigger than themselves.
