Dive Brief:
- Embracing the idea that makerspaces and classrooms should be the same thing, the Albemarle County Public School system in Charlottesville, Virginia has incorporated maker activities into daily learning.
- For example, Agnor Hurt Elementary has mixed grade levels in a single room working on collaborative projects that don't require expensive equipment.
- Middle and and high school-level maker projects generally include more materials and gear like a Makerbot 3D printer, sewing machines, Spheros, yet they too can be done on a budget, Ed Surge reports.
Dive Insight:
There is a balancing act. Districts interested in trying out more maker spaces and maker-inspired learning are working to know when to get out of the way. And adoption in Virginia has not been without pushback as some parents opted children out the maker approach.
But reports find educators who allow students to experiment and learn by doing encourage a risk-taking mindset, which helps students learn perseverance to overcome obstacles and hurdles.
Another important piece of the equation is creating an intellectual and physical environment that allows for exploration, as long as students have tools with which to solve problems. Incorporating maker spaces can lead to learning "soft skills" for younger students, like sharing, solving puzzles, and interacting with one another via games. It also gives students a chance to play.