What is making?
Before beginning to understand Maker Education, it is important to come to terms with the idea and ideals of the Maker Movement and Maker culture.
Please watch the video below, entitled We Are Makers (16:59), that briefly outlines the history and ideals of the Maker Movement.
Please watch the video below, entitled We Are Makers (16:59), that briefly outlines the history and ideals of the Maker Movement.
We Are Makers from Learning Studio on Vimeo
Some highlights from the video:
It is vital to the Maker community that projects, both successful and unsuccessful, are shared in order to support others and deepen personal understanding of a topic. Makers understand that failure is a part of the design and fabrication process and they know that learning happens when something doesn't go right.
- Making is a term used to group a wide variety of hobbyists into a community.
- Strong emphasis on constructivist and constructionist learning.
- Making includes, but is not limited to, electronics.
- Making is not new but a return to a D.I.Y. attitude.
It is vital to the Maker community that projects, both successful and unsuccessful, are shared in order to support others and deepen personal understanding of a topic. Makers understand that failure is a part of the design and fabrication process and they know that learning happens when something doesn't go right.
What is MAker education?
Maker Education, then, is the application of the ideals of the Maker Movement to educational environments.
Key Understandings of Maker Education:
Key Understandings of Maker Education:
- Bringing the ideals of the Maker Movement to the classroom.
- Strong connections to problem and project-based learning.
- Promotes interdisciplinary planning.
- Involves the use of design thinking for both teachers and students.
Ready for more?
Choose your own path to understanding by using the buttons below to learn more about whatever topic is most helpful OR interesting to you.
Note: In the following sections you will find two consistent learning supports: Key Understandings and STOP AND THINK. Have a quick read about what to expect when you see these cues.
Key Understandings - This portion will briefly outline to key concepts about complex subjects or tools. It is designed to provide the essentials without overwhelming you.
STOP AND THINK: Under this heading you will find questions that you are encouraged to think about and respond to BEFORE moving further through the content.
Note: In the following sections you will find two consistent learning supports: Key Understandings and STOP AND THINK. Have a quick read about what to expect when you see these cues.
Key Understandings - This portion will briefly outline to key concepts about complex subjects or tools. It is designed to provide the essentials without overwhelming you.
STOP AND THINK: Under this heading you will find questions that you are encouraged to think about and respond to BEFORE moving further through the content.