Change The Way Students Learn

I have really been interested in Maker Space over the past year and I have searched for different ways I could incorporate it into my future classroom.  But let me first recap my week.  Last Saturday, I was able to attend EdCamp QC in the Queen City itself....Charlotte.  I was able to go with my lovely wife Harmony and simultaneously celebrate 17 years of marriage!  Whoo hoo.  Ok, back to EdCamp.  If you haven't been (I know a lot of you have) it is an "unconference".  Meaning, there is no set agenda other than learning a lot from other teachers and education facilitators: aka: Media Specialists, Tech Integrators, Instructional Technology leaders.  Every hour or so we would switch to another group.  You can pick which group you would like to go to even if it is visiting 2 or 3 different groups during the hour.  You vote with your feet.  One of the constant groups was a makerspace that was set up in an art room.  There was technology, recycled items, robots, 3D printers etc... and you could use all of them to create and "play" with.  The other groups I went to were Twitter, PBL, Flexible learning spaces and Growth mindset.  I learned so much from all of these and helped a few teachers learn how to use Twitter.  The thing I like about these is that everyone has something to add.  I am a novice teacher obviously, but I was able to add to the conversation as well.  Just in case you are interested, there is another EdCamp in a few weeks in Raleigh: EdCamp Wake.  

Fast forward to this week...in my clinical visit this week, I was able to work with my small group of students to assess literacy and establish an idea of what and how we are going to work together.  I am looking forward to completing this task, but also looking forward to learning the process.  So, back to maker spaces...how do you implement a makerspace in an already super crammed, busy day?  That is my dilemma and mission.  You also have to ask: Why do you use a makerspace?  How do you use a makerspace?  How does it connect students to learning?  Obviously, it will not replace teaching, but like technology, it can be a powerful tool to use in engaging students in a different and powerful way.  Let's look at Bloom's taxonomy model:

As we have been learning and pondering throughout the last year or two, being able to open up a higher level of reasoning and learning in our students is our goal.  To do so, we must go beyond mere instruction.  Of course, we are to lead our students by our instruction.  But the types of questions we ask, the opportunities for learning we present and the methods and tools we use to bring them to deeper knowledge are all important.  This can happen with all students.  I believe Maker Space is a great opportunity to introduce students to their creative side and differentiate learning in a great way!  Here is an example of how you could use this in an ELA setting:

https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/maker-education-meets-the-writers-workshop/

The overall project in the article was having the students create a Reader's Theater.  They created the storyboard, narrative, props created for illustrating in real time.  It was a tool to encourage students to be creative in a powerful way WHILE LEARNING!  I certainly bookmarked the idea and hope to incorporate some of the ideas eventually.  The other article I have been reading was about "open ended" learning.  From the website: "Personalization only comes when students have authentic choice over how to tackle a problem. A personalized environment gives students the freedom to follow a meaningful line of inquiry, while building the skills to connect, synthesize and analyze information into original productions. Diane Laufenberg in What Do We Really Mean When We Say ‘Personalized Learning’?"  https://usergeneratededucation.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/selfdifferentiating.jpg?w=700

This is a great illustration to me of how successful this type of learning can be.  

So how does this fit into teacher standards?  I would link it to:

IV.C:  Teachers choose the methods and techniques that are most effective in meeting the needs of their students as they strive to eliminate achievement gaps. Teachers employ a wide range of techniques including information and communication technology, learning styles, and differentiated instruction.

and

IV.D: Teachers encourage students to ask questions, think creatively, develop and test innovative ideas, synthesize knowledge, and draw conclusions. They help students exercise and communicate sound reasoning; understand connections; make complex choices; and frame, analyze, and solve problems.

These standards represent the way makerspaces should help students learn in a meaningful and deeper way.  As I continue to learn about makerspaces, I plan to incorporate it as much as I can within the classroom.  My idea is to at first use makerspace as an extrinsic motivator for students to complete assignments on time, help with classroom management and to help students who need that creative outlet.  One idea would be introduce a new Unit or end a Unit study.  For ELA you could incorporate the above mentioned Reader's Theater and Writer workshop.  For a Unit study on measurement, you can have students construct a building/house model and measure all of the angles, materials and square footage.  I believe you need to start small and maybe take an idea or lesson 1 day a week and dedicate a little chunk of your day to help students get started.  It has to have meaning and connect with common core standards of course, so you have to make sure Common Core is integrated in the learning experience.  My BIG goal is to have a community "makerspace" day either at school or locally somewhere.  Overall, I realize that this is a tool just like Technology.  So it is important to utilize your time and purpose in the classroom.  I think it is possible to transform the traditional classroom.  I also believe that it is needed.  Traditional models and instruction have their merits and positive attributes, but progress and innovation are the only way in which we will ever move forward.  Now...let's make something!

website references:

https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/maker-education-meets-the-writers-workshop/

https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/maker-education-meets-the-writers-workshop/

edcamp notes and references:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cY8wZ6ugnABQIUxw0RDHDCxb4vL8q5jlZ1NZFbZsUVk/edit