4 We Are All Makers!

I've been meaning to write a post about our progress so far on trying to create a makerspace at our school and now I have too many reasons to put it off any longer!  (If you're interested in seeing our progress and what our space looks like via an interactive photo, visit my makerspace page here.)

Here are a few reasons why this post has finally come to fruition:

1. I recently did an interview with the EduAllStars team where I talked a bit about our makerspace and making in general.
2. I was asked while I was at ISTE to do a video on makerspaces for the Summer Learning Series (#SummerLS) that is being led by Todd Nesloney (@techninjatodd)
3. I'm part of the Connected Learning MOOC that is happening right now that is investigating making and it's many forms all summer long

Well, if those aren't enough reasons to get started than what is?!  

So, I'll first start by posting my personal example of making/ hacking which is my challenge for this week from my MOOC on making.  We needed to hack writing in some way to transform analog into digital.  I decided to focus on the makerspace at our school and create a sign that will inspire others to join the maker movement.  Let's be clear... I am not a hacker.  I'm fine with my phone the way it is and happy to only use the fonts and other websites the way the templates provided afford me.  However, I worked with a hacker (@TechGeekFest I'm talking to you!) and am now able to appreciate the mentality behind hacking.  It's being involved with your environment and interacting with it the way that you want to.  It's having a say in what you use and how those tools help you in your daily life.  I was able to appreciate the history of hacking as well after reading the book Invent to Learn which is a great book to read if you are interested in getting started with makerspaces at your school. 

Here is my example of my analog/ digital mashup or hack allowing me to take the language of my environment from books, papers, signs, etc. and re-purpose them for an inspiring sign on making for our makerspace.  I took photos of words around my house to make the saying that I wanted and then made the collage in Google Drawing.

With that example to inspire us, here is the video I made for the Summer Learning Series that encourages teachers to learn something new each week during their summer vacation and think of ways to apply it to the next school year.

So, to reiterate, if you are interested in joining the challenge, here's what you can do to get started in feeling the spirit of the maker movement. 

1. Go to the Invent to Learn website and learn more about the book and the leaders behind the book.
2. Go to the Instructables website and find a problem you can solve or something you can hack or something you can make and consciously think about the skills and abilities you are employing as well as your attitude while you are completeing your project.
3. Reflect on your learning and post on your blog or twitter about your foray into the maker movement and how you see it being connected to your teaching and learning context for the next school year.

Good luck with your making!  

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Jessica :)