Picture this: A blackboard, some
white chalk, and desks with attached seats situated in rows. This image is a stark contrast to today’s 21st
century classroom: A smartboard, smart pens, and circular tables intended for
collaboration. The disparity represents
the ever changing technology, which means that education must also change. School districts and educators are grappling
with the changes and trying to keep up with the quick learning curve needed to
adapt. In order to embrace the change,
many districts and administrators are seeking a framework to act as their
guide. Learn ways to incorporate a new
emerging trend into the school day and a possible framework for today’s
learners.
One popular framework is the
4C’s. The 4C’s is a growing model used
by educators to provide an outline for what 21st century learning
looks like. Educators are being
encouraged, and in many cases, forced, to transform their teaching by infusing
collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication into their
daily routines with their students. Many
schools are experimenting with emerging trends to best meet this growing need
for learning these 21st century life skills. Project –based learning
(PBL), gaming, and coding are just some of the new trends that teachers and
students alike are learning to embrace.
If you are an educator and are dipping your toes into these new
ventures, you perhaps have heard of Makerspaces.
Makerspaces are an emerging trend
that is truly changing the way students learn and the way teachers teach. Makerspaces
are environments for students to learn through hands on discovery and creation. These areas involve materials for students to
use and can range from low tech and cost efficient to high tech and more
expensive. Many countries around the
world are implementing this trend to elicit learning and growth in their
students. Hong Kong, the United States,
Australia, and Singapore are among them.
Let’s look at some educational uses of this emerging trend.
Educational Uses:
1. Makerspaces in the Classroom
Need a low cost, easy to create Makerspace? Makerspaces can be found on a smaller scale in an area of the classroom, while on the larger scale can be found in a community area of a school to be used by several classrooms. These spaces do not have to be expensive, as many educators fear, as funds continue to run tight for many schools. Some makerspaces consist of craft supplies for students to use, but the difference is it is organized in area where students have the discretion of what and when to use them. A good classroom makerspace has materials at the students’ level and is often organized with labels so students can easily find what they need.
2. Makerspaces in a School Communal Area
While some makerspaces can be low tech and cost efficient, if your school has money allocated towards 21st century learning, the Makerspace idea can be expanded beyond the classroom! Some schools create a Makerspace in a community area of a school, such as a large room or even an empty classroom. This allows for several classrooms in the school to benefit. Some of these more communal areas can get very costly, by incorporating new technology, such as 3D printers. Some schools allow classrooms to reserve the room for certain time slots throughout the day, while some secondary schools have students sign up for courses where teachers use the makerspace as their classroom. If this option piques your interest, consider talking with your principal or other administration to see how this could work in your building!
If you’re looking to read more on how to create an effective Makerspace,
please check out this article from the Center for Digital Education which contains 4
If neither of the options above seem viable for you or your school, due to cost or space, consider a Makerspace that can visit your school! While this may not be ideal, considering long term implementation is a good goal, it is a good place for a school to start. There are now many transportable makerspaces on buses that will come to the school and kids can explore hands on for the day. This can be a great opportunity for staff and administration to learn more about Makerspaces too!
After hearing about three practical
ways to use Makerspaces with students, keep in mind the focus should be on the
students. The true purpose of these
spaces is to allow students the opportunity to solve real world problems
through their own exploration. Students
collaborate with their peers to brainstorm solutions, see if they can choose a
solution to create, and test their design to see if it is successful. After testing the design, students get the opportunity
to reflect and revise as needed. This
emphasizes to students that the process of learning is more important than the
product created. A professor from Stanford discusses this education mindset
change of valuing
process not the products.
Thus, the role of teacher is to be a
facilitator and provide feedback, but to allow students to lead their learning. This may be a challenge for teachers at the
beginning, considering this is change from the traditional teaching model. Educators and students need to be patient
with the process and allow multiple trials to determine if it is
successful.
So how do these cool spaces
transform students into 21st Century Learners? The answer is simple: In many more ways than
one. Students must collaborate first and
foremost. After students brainstorm,
they must decide what idea they want to create.
This requires a lot of communication between the team. In addition to collaboration and
communication, students must learn to think creatively. By having students solve real life problems,
makes it extremely authentic and relatable.
These problems call for students to think outside of the box and be
creative. Critical thinking is required
because there is no formula to solving it and there is no one right answer. The 4Cs become naturally interwoven to the
school day through students working in Makerspaces. Furthermore, STEM is also enhanced as many of
the real world problems involve science, engineering and math in some way. Makerspaces stretch students in new ways and
helps them to grow and learn more than they would in a traditional classroom
setting! Students take ownership on
these projects and learn other skills too, such as perseverance, patience and how
to compromise. Makerspaces truly teach
life skills through learning to work through problems and discover solutions.
It is evident that the general idea
of Makerspaces is an emerging trend that is not going away. These spaces will enable students to learn 21st
century skills, while keeping students engaged.
Students of all ages will take complete ownership of their learning and
will undoubtedly say that learning is fun!
Are you willing to take a leap and begin experimenting with a Makerspace
in your classroom? Are there any other ways that your school is integrating 21st
century learning skills? Consider how the Makerspace can transform your
students’ learning and take them far beyond where you can lead!
Check out an Infographic that
illustrates some of the information you’ve just read using Piktochart!
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