On April 11th, a group of educators gathered on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to learn and grow together. ITEM, Information and Technology Educators of Minnesota, hosted an event at Hopkins North Junior High School. The focus of the day was on reimagining learning in regards to expanding learning beyond the walls and the bells of the traditional classroom. Some of the topics included flexible learning spaces, MakerSpaces, anywhere/anytime learning, and leading change in schools.
Over 80 individuals listened as Hopkins Superintendent John Schultz welcomed the group, stressing the importance of library media specialists as educational guides in schools. Jen Legatt, co-president elect for ITEM, talked about the organization, focusing on the mission in which ITEM “provides leadership and service by promoting professional growth, facilitating collaboration among its members, establishing standards, and advocating for 21st century learners.” To learn more about the ITEM organization, visit the website at http://mnitem.org/.
Participants had a variety of sessions to choose from that covered different themes and strands. These included MakerSpaces, Flexible Learning, Vision, PLNs, Tech Tools, Gamification, and Rethinking Time and Place. All of the sessions and resources are available here: https://sites.google.com/site/itemapril11/sessions
Below the MakerSpace sessions are highlighted. The other themes will be highlighted in subsequent writings.
Turn on the Learning: MakerSpaces in Elementary
Andrea Wilson Vazquez and Karla Juetten presented Turn on the Learning: Makerspaces in Elementary. Click on the title to be directed to the session’s resources.
Andrea and Karla shared the journey of Weaver Lake students as they have been “exposed to the basics of electrical engineering and computer programing in grades K-6 this year.” The tools highlighted included a 3D printer, Squishy Circuits, and conductive thread.
Andrea and Karla’s presentation, linked here, documented their journey.
One slide clearly defined the importance of creating: “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.” ― Mary Lou Cook
The presentation also included research that shows that the Maker movement is more that just a fad or just playing.
At the end of the session, participants had time to explore, make, and learn. They could program in Scratch, play bananas on the MakeyMakey, and create duct tape creations.
Take a moment and review Andrea and Karla’s presentation and their resources posted for April 11th.
MakerSpaces & Design Thinking: Leading with the Why
Karen Qualey presented a great session on the research behind the Why of MakerSpaces. Visit the resource page here: Makerspaces & Design Thinking: Leading with Why.
There is more to building a MakerSpace than putting out items to do or supplies for students to create. Karen’s presentation discussed the rationale for MakerSpaces and how they relate to Design Thinking. Her information went beyond the “what” to create, but also discussed the design and critique process to develop “sophisticated thinkers.”
Karen pointed out that the Maker movement is not new. Creative projects such as the Hacks at MIT show ingenuity and resourcefulness. The presentation explored how the Maker movement matches the messages of Seymour Papert, Paulo Freire, and John Dewey. She also explained the myths and realities of what a MakerSpace is or is not.
This session’s focus on the design process, critique, and analysis showed a depth to the concepts. The presentation wrapped up with real life examples along with digital and analog tools that could build a MakerSpace.
Check out Karen Qualey’s presentation at this link: http://goo.gl/2aaYKQ.
Design Thinking in the Maker Classroom
Leslie Pralle Keehn’s presentation also focused on the importance of Design Thinking in the classroom and MakerSpaces. Her resources are here: Design Thinking in the Maker Classroom.
Leslie’s session defined Design Thinking as “a problem solving process that can be applied to any classroom setting.” She explained that this style of thinking is important outside of schools in advertising and design work. The presentation went on to explain how to create a meaningful learning environment in a “maker classroom.”
Examples of Design Thinking products were explored, including a cardboard challenge and the creating of a marble run. You can see these examples on Leslie’s SlideShare presentation. These examples exemplified the Design Thinking process that was the focus of the presentation: Identify Problem – Brainstorm and Empathy – Creation – Learning Conversations – Redesign.
See the rest of this graphic explanation on the SlideShare presentation.
Leslie shared resources from the experts to support the rationale behind Design Thinking and Maker classrooms: http://bit.ly/mnitemdt.
Bringing a New Voice To Libraries, Education & Students Through Makerspaces
Shannon McClintock Miller joined the ITEM Event via Skype, bringing her expertise and experience to the day even though she could not attend in person. (In fact, Shannon Skyped in from her car while traveling to her next engagement.)
Shannon’s resources are available on the ITEM resource page for Bringing a New Voice to Libraries, Education & Students Through MakerSpaces.
Shannon has been on the cutting edge of active libraries and how learning spaces are being redesigned. Her presentation covered how MakerSpaces are “adding new places for creativity, collaboration, and connections.” She shared her experiences with a 3D printer, LittleBits, knitting and more. She also introduced the ideas of MakerSpaces-To-Go and Mobile MakerSpaces, expanding the reaches of the Maker idea. Shannon’s presentation also covered the ideas of Musical MakerSpaces.
The presentation helped to define the idea of a MakerSpace. It stressed that MakerSpaces can be one element to make the library the heart of the school.
Highlights of the presentation include tool ideas and book titles. She also introduced the names of people to know and follow in the MakerSpace world: Laura Fleming , Diana Rendina, Julie Graber and Christine Sturgeon, as well as Andy Plemmons. Shannon’s presentation gives you the foundation to get inspired to get started with MakerSpaces.
MakerSpace Camp
Nina Shimmin and Donna Ohlgren shared their story of how the school and public library joined together to build a MakerSpace camp. It is a story of collaboration between a county and school librarian. After their six day camp this summer, look for updates regarding the success of the students who attended.