EDC 340 - Maker Spaces

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    Many schools these days allow students the option of digital learning, which is essential because learning should be differentiated. The website, Makerspace for Education is an excellent tool for educators. It includes the following: teacher resources, teacher teaching resources, free teacher worksheets, teaching resources, and educational software. Under the teacher resources tab, there is a link to a source, EVERFI, which offers digital lessons. They say schools use EVERFI because it provides “Engaging digital lessons for financial education, social-emotional learning, student wellness, career readiness, and early learning” (Makerspace for Education). This serves as an effective alternative to traditional learning in the classroom. This platform consists of over a hundred game-based lessons that engage students regardless of their grade level.  

    The educational software tab includes a link for the source, Administrator’s Plus, among the various valuable resources. This can be accessed throughout PK-12 to aid teachers in managing data, increase student success, and the efficiency of communication with families. It deals with daily tasks that teachers may struggle with or find time-consuming such as attendance, report cards, schedule building, discipline, and billing. Teachers should become aware of this website because it has many resources readily available that could improve digital teaching or learning. 

    Education has already begun to change and will continue that way with the progress of technology. The blog, The Maker Movement: A Learning Revolution by Sylvia Martinez, discusses the impact of technology and how it has started the maker movement. This movement has begun because knowledge has become accessible with the help of technology. The author also mentions that the learning-by-doing approach, project-based learning, and constructivism emphasize learning due to experiences. Martinez includes three technological tools that have transformed education: personal fabrication, physical computing, and computer programming. An example of personal fabrication is 3D design software; it enhances the ability to create parts and concretize mathematics. The author provides an example of physical computing by saying, “Robotics may be the best-known form of this. Robotics kits, like those made by Lego and Vex, hide all the messy electronics and limit you to already set projects and materials” (Martinez). This displays that physical computing is a practical approach to hands-on learning. Lastly, computer programming is essential because it prepares students for the dominated technological world and enables them to become better citizens. 

    Overall, it is proven that technology can be used in many positive ways, such as making the curriculum engaging, empowering students to become more creative, differentiating learning, improving technological skills, and more. Educators have easy access to online teaching tools; therefore, they should find ways to incorporate them into their classrooms. There is no avoiding technology because it will keep progressing and impact education.

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