Maker education has been in educators’ lexicons for at least a decade (Halverson & Sheridan, 2014), but many still struggle to justify, integrate, and assess for learning through making and tinkering activities in the classroom. In this workshop, which is based on a newly implemented course in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, participants will grapple with why we can’t afford not to justify, integrate, and assess for learning through making in today’s learning environments. The session will acquaint participants with the theoretical foundations for maker education, including constructivism (Papert, 1990) and sociocultural theories (Vygotsky, 1978; Lave, 1990), then broaden the discussion to contemporary perspectives on how making is an essential strategy for cultivating equitable learning environments (Voussoughi et al., 2016).
Most importantly, we will make together to reflect on the affective experience and learning moments made possible by making and tinkering. Participants will have multiple options for making that will be presented with potential content and standards alignment: a tech-take apart activity that addresses science standards; a textiles project with connections to mathematics standards; and a stop-motion animation activity that can link to social studies and ELA standards. The workshop will conclude with small and large group discussions about the possibilities of bringing making to life with students. We will also address real constraints, such as access to tools materials, gaps in technical knowledge, and the challenges of aligning curriculum and assessment practices with making. Educators will leave with resources and strategies to confront these challenges and make making a central part of their teaching practice.
Introduction (10 mins) Learning theories & critical perspectives in maker education (20 mins) Making station rotations (tech take apart, textiles, stop motion) (50 mins) - Small group reflection - Large group discussion Closing: imagining making in our classrooms & connection to resources (10 mins)
