“Maker Space: Creativity, Engagement and Standards Alignment in the 21^st Century”

Dr. Seema Imam

Professor, National Louis University

Lisle, Illinois

ISNA EDUCATIONAL FORUM

ROSEMONT, IL March 30-April 1, 2018

ISNA ED FORUM PRESENTATION 2018�“Maker Space: Creativity, Engagement and Standards Alignment in the 21^st Century” �

• I. Define the concepts of Maker Space
• II. Spell out the roadmap
• III. Demonstrate the Methods
• IV. The Standards
• V. Share Resources

What can we imagine �about the world of �the future, the world we have not seen?

Let’s be realistic !

Let’s consider the:�WHO? WHAT? WHEN? �WHERE? WHY ? And HOW? Of

MAKER SPACE !

WHAT IS MAKER SPACE?

• It is a space made available to Create, Code, Explore, Build Collaboratively ----Possibly with tools, printers, 3D printers, art supplies, and so much more.
• Here, everyone can learn

by doing.

WHO CAN TEACH IN A MAKER SPACE?

1. MASTER TEACHERS WHO WILL MANAGE THE STUDENTS AND FACILITATE THE EXPLORATION
2. TEACHERS WHO ARE ON TOP OF THEIR GAME
3. TEACHERS WHO CAN INTEGRATE CURRICULUM

MIND THE TESTING---ACCORDING TO

THE SCHOOL POLICY

4. Teachers Ensure MAKER SPACE

Is engaging students in

active learning

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MAKER SPACE

BOOK SUGGESTION

• LET’S DO A COMMON READ
• “L A U N C H” Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student By: John Spencer and A.J. Juliani
• Publisher: Dave Burgess Consulting, 2016

Book is: LAUNCH

• Website for THE LAUNCH
• http://thelaunchcycle.com/
• Look, Listen, Learn
• Ask Lots of Questions
• Understand the problem
• Navigate the ideas
• Create
• Highlight what is working
• L A U N C H

WHO ?

• Schools all over the country
• Teachers all over the country
• STEM and STEAM Programs
• Students of all levels & abilities Because we believe all kids are filled with creativity and awe for learning.

WHAT ?

• John Spencer and A.J. Juliani say,
• “We believe that creative thinking is as vital as math or reading or writing. There’s power in problem-solving and experimenting and taking things from questions to ideas to authentic products that you launch to the world. Something happens in students when they define themselves as makers and inventors and creators” (p. 14).

What about the TEST?

• Are test scores the most important measure of learning?
• Question: want kids to be good at test taking or good at thinking? Creating? Building?
• AND What about time? � IS there enough time to do MS?
• Is school culture supposed to be
• such that what kids care
• about is ONLY THE
• GRADE?

STEM became STEAM

• Best thing that happened and now we have art, which is huge. That means literary, creative, inventive, design, digital and more. Let’s realize that reading is all subjects, thinking is all subjects, design is too.
• Are students all at different levels anyway?
• DO WE want to educate in batches by age?
• (Sir Ken Robinson)

WHEN ? WHERE ? And WHY ?

• I BELIEVE THE TIME IS NOW
• THE PLACE EVERYWHERE
• THE REASON WHY BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE LEADERS IN THE WORLD….. ADVANCING THOUGHT, SUPPORTING ISLAM, LIVING ISLAM AND LEADING WITH INTELLIGENT PURPOSES.

Where can we get a maker space?

• https://www.makerspaces.com/what-is-a-makerspace/
• Some schools are giving up the library—don’t have to---then keep the library---some alter the computer lab—maybe more logical since computers are more and more mobile.
• REALITY is ---could be in every classroom. It is a teaching style. Like teaching with the ISTE standards. It is a deliberate change in teaching goals and methodologies.

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Maker Space Reorganizes your Approach to your teaching.

• You will still meet curriculum outcomes
• Students will still read (they may even want or need to –to learn—imagine that !) They may seek experts to learn something they suspect or imagine.
• You will still map curriculum.
• IT IS NOT---A PROJECT—as we know projects
• IT IS FLEXIBLE

ISTE STANDARDS -----The International Society of Technology Education

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• Empowered Learner
• Digital Citizen
• Knowledge Constructor
• Innovative Designer
• Computational Thinker
• Creative Communicator
• Global Collaborator

EMBRACE THE ISTE STANDARDS

What are the teachers saying?

• A makerspace can take many forms and so can a definition of one
• Laura Fleming –   “A makerspace is a metaphor for a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play and open-ended exploration for all.”
• Diana Rendina –  “A makerspace is a place where students can gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials.”
• John J Burke –  “A makerspace is an area in a library where users can use tools and equipment to design, build, and create all sorts of different things.  It may be a dedicated room or a multipurpose space in which a collection of raw materials and resources can be utilized as desired. Projects range from prototyping product designs with 3D printers, to programming robots, to creating art out of recycled items.”

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What are the teachers saying?

• A makerspace can take many forms and so can a definition of one
• Ann Smart – “A space with materials for students to let their curiosity and imagination come to life.   An informal, playful, atmosphere for learning to unfold.   A space where making, rather than consuming is the focus.   A space where trans-disciplinary learning, inquiry, risk-taking, thinking, crafting, tinkering, and wondering can blossom.”
• TheRSA.org –  “Makerspaces are open access workshops hosting a variety of new and old tools – from 3D printers and laser cutters to sewing machines and soldering irons.  Makerspaces are more than just sites to craft objects. They are also places to experiment with a different way of living – one that responds to the challenges and opportunities of a world in which technology is ubiquitous.”
• i3Detroit.com –  A Makerspace is  “a collision of art, technology, learning, and collaboration”
• Colleen Graves – ” A makerspace is not only a place where you can make stuff but many times its a place where you make “meaning” which many times is more important than the stuff you make.”

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Maker Space is about Questions !!!

How do these windbines work? How can we benefit? �What keeps the Hot air balloon rising and what will bring it down?

Maker Space is about Questions

WHAT ISLAMIC SCHOOLS CAN BENEFIT MOST FROM IS REALIZATIONS THAT SCHOOLING IN AMERICA IS UNDER REDESIGN SO NOW IS THE TIME TO DEVELOP OUR SIGNATURE MODEL SCHOOLS.

• School Model based at the core on ISLAM, Quran, Hadith, Arabic and Scholarly basis
• Teacher Training with Purpose
• Integrated Curriculum Using Current Research, standards and learning methods in ways to maximize learning, build strong Muslims, Focus on leadership and more.

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Design Thinking Project according to LAUNCH Includes:�1. Standards�2. Products�3. Timing �4. Materials�5. Management �6. Knowledge �7. Collaboration�

Learning can become more passionate when no one is telling you how, what, when to think.

New Thinking will enhance the integration in ISLAMIC SCHOOLS TOO !

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• What can we imagine �about the world of the future, the world we have not seen?

Literacy and Maker Space Resources are found throughout the presentation.

• https://medium.com/reading-writing-in-a-digital-world/makerspaces-in-literacy-85328f7d38c5
• Literacy can be taught through MS.
• A power point : Steam and Stem at your Library. http://accessola2.com/superconference2016/sessions/1100STE.pdf

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C O N T A C T M E F O R M O R E IDEAS—PRESENTATIONS AND W E B I N A R S !

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simam@nl.edu

seemaimam@gmail.com

Cell: 312-835-2758

MAKING LEARNING COME ALIVE ---WITH EXCITEMENT--- WE CAN ALL BE ENTHUSIASTICALLY ----

L E A R N I N G !

simam@nl.edu

seemaimam@gmail.com

Cell: 312-835-2758

Thank you!