LibGuides: EDUC 455-Educational Technology: Makerspaces in Education

What's is the Maker Education Movement?

Educational makerspaces are aligned with the curriculum and activities can be measured with a learning objective. The maker movement in education is based on constructionism which is the philosophy of hands-on learning through building things. The "learning through play," should be a guided activity that has a purpose. Great educational makerspaces embrace the power of collaboration--it is okay for students to consult and assist one another as they explore and solve problems using the resources of the makerspace. Makerspaces not only foster learning through inquiry but makerspaces also support mental rigor.

The Maker Movement in Education: Designing, Creating, and Learning Across Contexts
The process of making useful objects was an everyday activity in both schools and homes throughout the twentieth century. The learning that occurs through the experience of making and the learning that occurs through instruction in new media share an unexpected pedagogical kinship. Similarly, the phenomenon that some have termed the "maker movement," which describes the wave of interest in constructing and sharing personal inventions and creative artifacts, reconfigures the learner as a producer rather than a consumer. In this symposium, as in the held at large, there are elements of research on making that feel both old and new in their contributions to learning theories and contexts. The authors encourage the readers to use this symposium as a springboard for understanding and exploring the many questions, opportunities, and challenges that are increasingly salient as the maker movement gains traction in educational contexts.
The Philosophy of Educational Makerspaces
Constructionism, in turn, is the application of constructivist learning principles to a hands-on learning environment. [...]maker education is a branch of constructivist philosophy that views learning as a highly personal endeavor requiring the student, rather than the teacher, to initiate the learning process. [...]as students gain confidence, they will begin to be the experts, and the spacemaker can then help them become mentors. [...]an educational makerspace is less of a classroom and more of a motivational speech without words.
The Maker Movement Connects to the Classroom
According to Gertrude Ivory, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, "We renovated our science lab at the middle school, and we are renovating an atrium space. According to Martinez, research shows that PBL leads to deeper understanding for students, and yet it's still all too rare.

What Does a Makerspace Look Like?

Makerspaces provide materials and resources to foster learning through inquiry. Those materials can range from simple items like craft paper, makers/crayons, glue, modeling clay, Legos, to more high-tech items like taking apart and restoring donated electronics, 3D printers, laser cutters, and screen printing.

Things to Consider When Building Your Own Makerspace

You do not have to be a techie to start a makerspace in your classroom, school, or library. This is an opportunity for you to learn through inquiry as well.
Start small by stocking your makerspace with low tech arts and crafts items: construction paper, paper plates, cups, pipe cleaners, shoe boxes, yarn, etc.
Don't be too Proud to Beg--ask for donations--old electronics, paper towel rolls, scrap wood or fabrics, etc. Set-up a station in the front office of the school or ask parents for donations during your welcome letter at the beginning of the school year. Remember to continue to ask for donations through out the year.
Before purchasing big ticket items like 3D printers, visit neighboring schools, libraries, or universities that have 3D printers to see it in action. What's the learning curve for that type of printer? How user friendly is the software? How helpful is the support of the company? Do thorough research before you purchase, also look into grants that may be available to obtain 3D printers for educational purposes.
Consider partnering with your school librarian to design and purchase materials for a makerspace. Sometimes the media center has more funds available than individual departments on campus.

Makerspace Playbook
Resources helpful lists, forms, and templates.

Tools Available in the CMMC Idea Lab/Makerspace

Low-Tech Items - Craft paper, markers, crayons, color pencils, paint, modeling clay, yarn, glue, feathers, buttons, glitter, and legos.

Medium-Tech Items - Makey-Makey, Littlebits, Electronics kit, button making machine, and binding machine.

High-Tech Items - Large format printers (24" and 36" wide), large laminating machine (24" wide), two 3D printers (Makerbot 5th Generation and Lulzbot TAZ 5), wood burning pen, HP Sprout desktop computer with a 3D scanner, and an iMac desktop computer. View the videos below to find out more about the HP Sprout and wood burning.

3D Printing Research Guide
Visit the 3D Printing Research Guide to learn more about 3D printing.

EDUC 455-Educational Technology

What's is the Maker Education Movement?

What Does a Makerspace Look Like?

Tools Available in the CMMC Idea Lab/Makerspace

Helpful Documents