the what
Makerspace is a constructivist and constructionist movement that is taking the world by storm! Imagine DIY meets education! Makerspace is not only a hackshop where you can go to learn how to use an 3D printer. Makerspace is an educational concept as well, having materials available that can act as a provocation for inquiry, as well as modern technology and items to invent with. Makerspace is more than a space itself, it is a mindset that can and should be taught (Gerstein, 2014). We have a student culture of children who have learned to consume technology. Educational zombies with all of their technological skill residing in the swipe of an index finger. With a makerspace, we can move beyond consumption to creation.
A makerspace is about “turning knowledge into action” (Flemming, 2015, p. 7), and allows for a true opportunity to support personalized learning (Martinez & Stager, 2013). The Maker Movement is about teaching and learning that is focused on student centered inquiry. This is not the project done at the end of a unit of learning, but the actual vehicle and purpose of the learning.
A makerspace is about “turning knowledge into action” (Flemming, 2015, p. 7), and allows for a true opportunity to support personalized learning (Martinez & Stager, 2013). The Maker Movement is about teaching and learning that is focused on student centered inquiry. This is not the project done at the end of a unit of learning, but the actual vehicle and purpose of the learning.
the why
Giving students a real life problem to solve, as an intentional reason to use design thinking, changes the quality of the learning. Students are not learning because a teacher simply told them information they are required to remember, students are learning because they need and want to solve a problem to make the world a better place. This type of design thinking has the power to transform students into global citizens committed to creative solutions to solve global problems. This is the type of student innovator we are missing in our current educational settings (Wagner &Compton, 2012)
the when
Maker Mornings will have the focus of student led projects and lean towards "Invention Literacy!" These students will have the lab available to them 1 day a week (one morning for each grade.) They will have 40 minutes to dive into whatever their heart desires to learn about or make.