Updates in Innovation Plan

Five weeks ago, I did not really know what this class encompassed, and I did not know how to explain it to my colleagues.  The articles were interesting, but I did not see how they really applied to my innovation plan- makerspace. I did not have the buy-in of the class until last week: when I was updating my literature review.  Now that this class is coming to an end, I want to reread the articles and keep researching makerspace and how it really does create a well-rounded child.

In my last class EDLD 5389, we had to make an extensive outline for our innovation plan with dates and resources that I will be using as I introduce makerspace to my school.  I have done some of the things, but I have not worked on getting a committee together. I have learned this week that my principal will be retiring and I do not know what will happen next year…  

With all of this said, I have learned so much in my research in makerspace.  This is my abstract from my literature review-
Makerspace is an area that has grown in the last 20 years.  There are many types of makerspaces- from mobile to library to a cart to a classroom.    Materials can be used in the area and either be expensive or be reused products. There are many benefits to having a makerspace, and one of the biggest ones is that the student can own their learning.  Cost, materials, and area can be a barrier to start makerspace in different communities. Many countries are beginning makerspace (but can be called fab labs, hackerspace, Chaihuo, or Makerskola) and eight countries are collaborating to form the MakEY Project.  Being a new concept brings lots of questions, but different people are trying new things every day to have makerspace give children (and adults) a way to gain so much out of "playing."

The Power of Makerspace- Lit. Review

This past year, I was able to put in a makerspace area in my classroom.  I have seen children come to life in their creating, making, and inventing.  I wish that I could have had more of the teachers come in my class so they could experience what the students do- joy, love, and excitement of designing!

I was able to have four teachers come with me to another school in the district who has a makerspace room.  I was able to get great pictures in my Call to Action Video.

Call to Action

Going to this makerspace room also let me use the Plus-Delta Tool that we learned in the first week of this class.  Here are the comments that some of the teachers had:

Positives (What aspects do you like? What is working?)
+increased student engagement and creativity
+science lab parallel
+permission slip for afterschool (15 students max each day)
+teachers do not have to recreate the wheel in makerspace
+difference between makerspace vs. breaker space
+ideas on the board
+maker cart could be an option for those teachers that can't go to the 
   room
+gives space for students to spread out and work
+Gifted and Talented teacher can come in and work in this class (it is      STEAM mode too)
+there are teachers who volunteer from 3:15-4:15 (Monday-Thursday)
+different stations are in the room
+materials are brought in from teachers and the community

Delta (What do you have questions about? What do you think will not work?)
-try to target "during school" and not "afterschool" (we don't need more
   to do/ who is going to volunteer afterschool
-administrative limitations (accountability points/ do we have the
   freedom to create this in class?)
-how to make this work at my school
-how to do this with all of the other programs/ new curriculum that we 
   have to do at school
-training (using this room as a place to get materials to use in the room to
   create time)

As this year is coming to a close, I know that there are questions that I have:
-Will makerspace be able to work in the school?
-Will the new principal be as excited as my current principal was when I introduced makerspace?
-Can I calm my spirit and just share the excitement of makerspace?

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References

Call to Action and Lit Review References

Cmoeinc. (2013, July 23). How to get quick feedback with the plus delta tool. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADEd0IIswpQ&feature=youtu.be