A modernizing trend within today’s 21st century classrooms is the idea of the “Maker Space.” A Maker Space provides children and teens with the opportunity to explore their own interests; learn to use tools and materials; both physical and virtual; and develop creative projects. They provide hands on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering and thinking. Students are able to become active learners and take charge of their own learning experience and learn to problem solve on their own. Teachers take a step back from a “teaching” role and merely facilitate learning and encourage independent practices. They can also work in collaborating groups- teaching them the role of team work as well as collaborative learning practices/peer learning. Martinez states that “The maker ethos values learning through direct experience and the intellectual and social benefits that accrue from creating something sharable.”(Martinez & Stager, 2019, p.28) Students who are collaborating with peers also develop a deeper understanding of the content through peer learning.
Schools that part with a more traditional classroom and adapt to the ideas involved within a Maker Space are providing students an opportunity to become better problem solvers for outside school experiences within their community. “Makerspaces offer relevant and real experiences.” (p.31) These experiences can be useful to a student all the way into adulthood. In fact, these experiences pave a way into adulthood and shape many of the student’s abilities and interests. “The most salient benefits of maker-centered learning for young people have to do with developing a sense of self and a sense of community that empower them to engage with and shape the designed dimension of the world.” (Hutchinson, 2018) Students engaged in makerspaces during their primary/secondary school experiences often become successful adult individuals who contribute more in their communities. Hughes, J., & Conversation, T. (2018, November 1). Spaces aim to help boost creativity. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/health/kids-makerspaces/index.html Hutchinson, C. (2018, November 15). Makerspaces: An Important Component of 21st Century Education. Retrieved from https://www.haskelleducation.com/makerspaces-an-important-component-of-21st-century-education/ Martinez, S. L., & Stager, G. (2019). Invent to learn: making, tinkering, and engineering in the classroom (2nd ed.). Constructing Modern Knowledge Press.
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AUTHORI graduated from SUNY Oneonta in 2018 with a degree in adolescent Education, social studies. I am currently enrolled in the SUNY Oneonta Educational Technology Masters Program. Archives
April 2020
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