What is Makerspace?
It is a place where people can gather to collaboratively work. The shared workspace is use to learn and create. The mind set behind Makerspace is to create something from nothing. Makerspace allows individuals to explore their own interest while utilizing a variety of tools. "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." (Wagner, 2012)
Advantages of Using Makerspace in the Classroom
Teachers have seen a increase in student engagement and motivation because. Makerspace is based off of student interest. Students engage with 21st century learning, which prepares them for the "real world". “There are essential elements of educating young people to become innovators: the value of hands-on projects where students have to solve a real world problem and demonstrate mastery; the importance of learning to draw on academic content from multiple disciplines to solve a problem; learning to work in teams” (Wagner & Compton, 2012, p. 52).
Click Here To Read Why Makerspace is so important in the classroom.
What does Makerspace look like in Education?
Makerspace's do not need to take up a lot of space. You can create one in the classroom, Library, common areas, public/private facility or lab. Makerspace can also be mobile with the use of buckets and carts. The space is determined by the teachers/schools and the available budgets. "Makerspaces come in all shapes and sizes, but they all serve as a gathering point for tools, projects, mentors, and expertise. A collection of tools does not define a makerspace. Rather, we define it by what it enables: making." Makerspace Playbook School Edition 2013
This Makerspace community gallery shows the endless possibilities on how to incorporate Makerspace no matter how big or small the space.
What kind of tools are needed in a Makerspace?
The great thing about Makerspace is you have the freedom to include the materials that are based off of the interests of your students. Some examples of the tools that can be found are: carboard, Legos, 3D printers, laser printers, sewing machines, etc...
View This Infogrpahic To Learn More About Makerspace
Want To Learn More About Makerspace? View These Resources Below:Link 1: Articles, links and more
Link 2: Makerspace Playbook : Everything you need to know about Makerspace and how to set one up
Take a tour of a Makerspace at Christie Elementary School
Benefits of Makerspace in the classroom.
Davee, S., Regalla, L., & Chang, S. (2015, May). Makerspaces highlights of select literature. Retrieved from http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Makerspace-Lit-Review-5B.pdf
Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2015). NMC Horizon Report: 2015 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2015-nmc-horizon-report-k12-EN.pdf
Scholastic.com (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2018, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2011/05/your-kids-can-do-it-quick-free-and-easy-stop-motion-videos
Scholastic.com (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2018, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2011/05/your-kids-can-do-it-quick-free-and-easy-stop-motion-videos
Wagner, T., & Compton, R.A. (2012). Creating innovators: the making of young people who will change the world (1sr Scribner hardcover ed.). New York: Scribbler
Hi Dana!
ReplyDeleteYour blog post about Makerspaces is very informative. I researched Makerspaces as well so it was interesting to see the similarities and differences in our posts. I really enjoyed watching the video that you posted that compared two educators and what tools/resources they used in their Makerspace. It is pertinent for an educator who is new to Makerspaces to understand that the resources available can be a variety of things and can change with the interests of their students.
Would you incorporate a Makerspace in your classroom? If so, what are some of the resources/ tools that you think you would initially use when setting up your Makerspace?
Hello Kristyn,
DeleteI would incorporate Makerspace into my classroom. I think the incorporation would be a perfect catalyst for developing problem solving skills with the students. Also, Makerspace gives the students to have the freedom to explore their own interests, which would help direct their own learning, by delving into topics that they need to learn to have a successful project.
Since some tools that can be used in Makerspace are expensive, I would start off simple. I would ask for parent donations for things like, wire, yarn, toothpicks, cups, recycled plastic containers and cereal boxes. I would see if the school would be able to donate these items, screw drivers (flat head and Philips head), pliers, and scissors. You may need to purchase items such as feathers, pipe cleaners, brads, and craft sticks. After, seeing how successful Makerspace is in the classroom, I would then use grants and donor's choose to help fund some of the more expensive Makerspace tools.
https://www.whitbyschool.org/passionforlearning/9-must-have-tools-for-a-school-makerspace ..... This website has great suggestions on what tools you should incorporate into your Makerspace.
Hey Dana,
ReplyDeleteGreat information to help me get started in the fall. I am interested in creating stations with various building materials. I will have laminated step by step building instructions to help teach the skill of following step by step visual directions, visual and fine-motor coordination, and task completion. Do you have any other ideas for someone just getting started with a makerspace?
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteThe first suggestion that I would give you is to find the right place. Ask yourself: "Who will be using this space", "What type of area would suit their needs" and "What is the purpose of this space". Next, narrow down what kind of tools you are going to want to put into this space. When you have identify which tools the students are going to be using, find storage materials that will house these tools. Then, let your creativity run wild! Makerspace is fun and there is no"right" way to do it. Do a trial and error basis in your classroom to find out what works best.
Check out this video for more tips on how to get started https://youtu.be/doftGVxkTsk
Hi Dana,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having a makerspace in a school setting! Makes sense why it is an emerging trend because I can see some individuals not really understanding the NEED fora space such as this. I like the fact that is can be a mobile space and doesn't require much. My question to you- would a Makerspace be a non-graded place where students would go to explore at their own leisure or there would be parameters around the idea?