Makerspaces in Schools: Chapter One Response by Ashley Swinney https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts Please respond to each question. Be sure to add your name and respond to each other. en-us 2018-11-28 15:58:34 UTC 2018-12-03 20:49:03 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lightdecrease.png A place where student have the opportunity to make, create, build, and explore through a problem solving process. A place where creative thinking, collaboration, failures, successes, learning and many other things happen in a way that also ties in with the curriculum being taught in the school. https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308934724 Wendy L.]]> 2018-11-28 17:47:06 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308934724 Risk-taking needs to happen so that we will always be trying new things and exploring new ways to do things. Regrouping is important because we will always have to be flexible when things to not go as planned. We have to be ready to come up with new plans and ideas. It is important to also show the students that you will never fail if you don't take risks, and you will never learn if you don't fail. Failure can be a good thing. https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308937303 Wendy L.]]> 2018-11-28 17:51:17 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308937303 Those skills are all important for everyday life and in the job market. We need to prepare our students for life after school. Planning and preparation will help ensure that these skills are being accomplished. https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308938892 Wendy L.]]> 2018-11-28 17:53:49 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308938892 Not only do I have to teach my students that failure is ok, I have to know that failures putting the makerspace together and getting it going is also ok. https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308941029 Wendy L.]]> 2018-11-28 17:56:56 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308941029 It can help what is done in the makerspace area be more purposeful and not just "play" https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308941819 Wendy L.]]> 2018-11-28 17:58:15 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308941819 We can stress to them the importance of the skills necessary for the job market and how what we are doing is teaching them those skills. They have to see that it is not just playing but more so skill building. https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308942141 Wendy L]]> 2018-11-28 17:58:45 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308942141 A FUN space where students solve problems, learn practical skills, and MAKE something with their own ideas/hands. An extension and a gap-filler for career-field preparation for jobs that require creativity, communication and problem-solving skills. martink34 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308951947 Krystal]]> 2018-11-28 18:14:39 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308951947 martink34 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308953531 We are innovating beginning from the ground up a new initiative. We have to be willing to try some things, make some mistakes and try again so that we can build a foundation and grow this instructional zone into something really powerful to the lives and careers of our students. 
Krystal]]> 2018-11-28 18:17:01 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308953531 I was excited about that list! I was glad to see that failing and redesigning were featured. I think these are the skills that this generation struggles with. They have lost confidence in themselves to try again. I think that Maker Space is a good place to change mindsets in our students and help them discover the power of Yet. martink34 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308954821 Krystal]]> 2018-11-28 18:18:51 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308954821 martink34 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308956759 My two favorite things to read were that "Makerspaces bring joy back to learning" and "the best learning happens when we loosen the reins a little and let the learning unfold on its own." For a long time, I've felt this deep in my soul about teaching and I've already seen it happening all over my campus this year! KIDS LOVE MAKERSPACE because they are getting to learn in a looser way and they are getting some ownership back about their education. 

I also really liked the idea of asking students to identify where they are in the engineering process for accountability while they set their own pace. 
Krystal]]> 2018-11-28 18:21:42 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308956759 martink34 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308959992 It's short, easy to understand, and practical in school and in the real world. It gives students a concrete way to evaluate their progress and for us to help them stay on track. I love the inclusion of redesigning/reflecting - I think this is where we are going to skyrocket as a district. If we can get kids to master evaluating what they do/don't know and what worked/didn't work they will be unstoppable. 
Krystal]]> 2018-11-28 18:25:51 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308959992 martink34 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308961987 The chart about standards was really helpful to me. 
However, I really haven't heard any comments that they feel that they are missing instruction time. More so, my teachers wish they weren't missing Maker Space with other scheduled campus events! I'm blessed to be on a campus where teachers are embracing Maker Space and kids are loving the experiences there!
Krystal]]> 2018-11-28 18:28:25 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/308961987 I thought it was interesting to read that 65% of today's students will grow up to have jobs that have not yet been created yet. evansk14 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309065050 2018-11-28 21:45:34 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309065050 turnerw3 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309083131 A space set aside for all students to feel safe while explore, creating, building, making, and discovering. Also a space for students to extend their knew knowledge. A place where failure and mistakes are learned from and ok. A HAPPY space!]]> 2018-11-28 23:01:46 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309083131 turnerw3 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309083759 Just like we want it to be a safe place where mistakes and failure is ok for students... it needs to be the same for us! HA! It's important to take those risks because we don't know what may work or not work if we don't go for it! Regrouping is a MUST because we are going to fail and we can't let that stop us!]]> 2018-11-28 23:04:49 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309083759 I would define Makerspace as a place and time where students feel free to create, explore, problem solve, imagine, and build while making real-world connections to content. A makerspace should not be rigid and there should be no "right answer". This should be a place where students feel it is okay to fail as long as they are persistent in finding better solutions. It should be a place where collaboration happens naturally and is encouraged. swinneya https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309322897 2018-11-29 14:57:40 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309322897 Risk-taking and regrouping are key elements of having a growth mindset. If we don't see failures and obstacles as opportunities to grow, and if we feel that ability is fixed, then how can we truly help our students learn to try new things and grow. As far as our roles, if we aren't taking risks, then we are continuing to do things the way we have always done which is counterproductive to the new roles. Regrouping is imperative because the only other option is giving up which doesn't seem like much of an option! swinneya https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309325541 2018-11-29 15:01:17 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309325541 When I look at that list, I see things that I have to do every day in my job, as a mom, as a friend, as a competent human being. I think we have to be careful when planning makerspaces because we don't want to give too many instructions or expectations because that limits them. I would like to see our makerspaces be problem-solving real world applications. swinneya https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309331634 2018-11-29 15:09:17 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309331634 One aha moment for me was this sentence- "Oftentimes, students don't really know what they like because they have not had exposure or had the opportunity to try new things out." I think about how students often answer the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with the same answers "teacher, doctor, lawyer, football player, etc." This is because they don't realize how many different career paths there really are out there! It is the same way with makerspace. The more skills we can expose them to, the better! swinneya https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309333546 2018-11-29 15:11:45 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309333546 When I explained makerspace to junior high teachers, I told them that as long as students were following that process, they were completing a makerspace activity. It majorly helped them wrap their brains around a topic that seemed elusive and overwhelming. It also ensure that regardless of what campus or what teacher is leading a makerspace, we are at least following the same process. swinneya https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309335669 2018-11-29 15:14:18 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309335669 The chart is extremely helpful in understanding how the skills being taught in makerspace directly support content standards. One thing I think will be incredibly important is ensuring that teachers feel ownership over the makerspace lessons and begin learning to create their own lessons. The sooner we can build capacity in our teachers, the better off we will all be! swinneya https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309338367 2018-11-29 15:17:12 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309338367 I think in everything that we do we should be preparing students to go forth into the workforce and be successful when they are older. All of the things listed that students should be doing are things that will directly help them in the job that they will one day hold. I am noticing that not all, but some of my students are struggling already with problem solving and using teamwork. I plan to keep modeling and talking them through what this should look like each time they are in the makerspace evansk14 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309417427 2018-11-29 17:09:24 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309417427 A Makerspace is a place where students come to make, create, explore, build and grow. A makerspace should be a space where free thinking takes place and little examples are given. Students should work collaboratively to make things and problem-solve. A makerspace is many things and should be an ever- evolving, ever-changing place. Above all, it should be a fun place where students learn to work through their frustrations and be proud of their efforts. evansk14 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309419085 2018-11-29 17:11:55 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309419085 Risk-taking and regrouping are key to starting a new makerspace and developing a loose curriculum that goes along with it. I think these things are not only important for us, but the students as well. We should be teaching them that these are skills that they will need in the makerspace and in life. This first year should be a growing year where we try all kinds of things to figure out what works best. evansk14 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309430589 2018-11-29 17:29:37 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309430589 I think that the problem-solving process is one of the cornerstones of the makerspace environment. By teaching students how to problem solve, we are teaching them valuable life skills. I am finding that some students already possess this skill, while others need to work on it majorly. evansk14 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309450981 2018-11-29 18:00:19 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309450981 This is a concern of mine, but so far have had only compliments from teachers about what students have said about the lessons we have done in the makerspace so far. I am hoping that if this is the trend that teachers will see the value of the makerspace. I also have had teachers bring lessons to me, so I am hoping that they will feel that the makerspace is an extension of their classroom curriculum. evansk14 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309453716 2018-11-29 18:04:37 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309453716 turnerw3 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309931825 These skills will be needed for the rest of their lives so if we can begin instilling them now, the better off the students will be. I've really tried to discuss with my older classes about being "spoon-fed" and how they have to learn how to problem solve.]]> 2018-11-30 18:58:46 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309931825 turnerw3 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309933790 This. Right. Here. 
"Undoubtedly, some of this pressure is created by unsupportive colleges and administration who expect to see you doing exactly what is in your lesson plan. The truth is, the best learning happens when we loosen the reins a little and let learning unfold on its own."]]> 2018-11-30 19:02:27 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309933790 turnerw3 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309989412 The problem solving process brings structure to our makerspace environment. It also helps in all content areas. And of course it is a process we will need our whole life!]]> 2018-11-30 21:24:08 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/309989412 turnerw3 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310418110 So far my teachers have been very excited about makerspace time. I have really tried to keep them involved by getting their input and seeing what skills they are working on. 

]]> 2018-12-03 14:26:17 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310418110 A safe non-judging environment in which students can create, make, develop ideas and projects independently or in groups. https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310522620 2018-12-03 17:07:02 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310522620 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310540520 Risk-taking and regrouping is an important role for the MTS because this is exactly what we want the students to do! Don't be afraid to try something. Sometimes we do the best learning when we make mistakes and then figure out how to correct them. ]]> 2018-12-03 17:37:30 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310540520 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310548103 Allowing the students to learn on their own is a skill they will need in school and real life. Thinking, planning, testing, reworking are all things we do everyday. I have noticed how easily frustrated some students get, but knowing the could do it again made all the difference in their attitudes. I think is important to keep going over the problem-solving process every time the enter the makerspace to do a project.]]> 2018-12-03 17:49:36 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310548103 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310552573 Aha moment for me was when the book said the best learning happens when we loosen the reins a little and let the learning unfold on it's own. It was so interesting to hear what the students were saying to each other when they were doing their makerspace. The on-level students actually did better than the honor students, because they were more willing to work as a team to share their ideas.]]> 2018-12-03 17:56:27 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310552573 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310554884 It gives the students a model on how they should approach the makerspace, but also it can be used as a real-life plan for them to use in their classes and when they face issues in life.]]> 2018-12-03 18:00:20 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310554884 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310563452 Using the "instruction time" was a VERY big concern of a lot of the teachers. Since we do not have classes come in as part of a rotation, they feel like they are sacrificing instruction time with their students. It was hard to find the first group willing to come. Using Table 1 on page 17, How Makerspaces Meet Standards, will help me communicate to teachers that the "project" itself may not relate directly to what they are doing in class, but the "skills" they are using is part of the state standards.]]> 2018-12-03 18:15:00 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310563452 A makerspace is a place where students "make" and learn. It is a place where the engineering process is used and we should see them trying new things and improving on what they have created to make it even better. Makerspaces should help students explore/try new things without fear of failure. The space should encourage collaboration and community among students. A makerspace should be fun. carnesk2 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310634169 2018-12-03 20:13:31 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310634169 Without failure, we can't grow. We will make mistakes, improve on those mistakes and finally arrive at a destination that feels like success. Makerspace provides a place to know that failure is ok as long as you pick back up, improve and move past the failures. It's best to discover this in a makerspace and when life brings challenges, our students will know how to reach forward in a different way that leads to success. carnesk2 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310637099 2018-12-03 20:18:58 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310637099 In the "everybody gets a trophy" times, our students are used to having things given to them. It is important that we provide the space to work through problems. Every word on that list is a "life skill" and we are providing a safe space for them to dig deep. carnesk2 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310639442 2018-12-03 20:23:32 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310639442 carnesk2 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310644025 The chart on page 11-skills sought by employers-I was surprised to see in just a 5 year span how many of the items stayed the same but at a different level of fucus and how some of the skills used in 2015 were no longer listed in 2020. "When students are armed with potential career paths and interests and feel successful, it affects wvery other aspect of their day." We are helping to provide this in Makerspace.]]> 2018-12-03 20:33:56 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310644025 Real world training. Our students are preparing for their future. I had 3 students work together to put 2 chairs together for me. They read "tighten the screws to only 25%" and they did just that. The failed to read through the entire process where it said "now, tighten the screws until you hear the locking sound." The next day, I asked them to sit in the chairs and they said they didn't think Wayfair was a great place to order from because they were wobbly. "Building in Makerspace will give our students a place to explore things like this and they will have some hands on experiences before the life experiences happen. carnesk2 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310645999
They did tighten the screws and I now have some great chairs!]]> 2018-12-03 20:38:21 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310645999 I love the chart on page 17. It directly correlates to standards and justifies what we are doing in Makerspace. I think we will see aha moments in the future with our teachers. Example: the exposure our Kinders are receiving in Makerspace to circuits. When the teachers at a later grade level teach circuits, our kinders will already have prior knowledge to build upon. What looked like play in Kinder has now become real world application in the classroom. carnesk2 https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310648471 2018-12-03 20:44:41 UTC https://padlet.com/swinneya/dsxu20n4hpts/wish/310648471