Today I spent the day at the Independent Schools Association Southwest Technology Conference and was lucky enough to hear Sylvia Martinez, co-author of Invent to Learn, as keynote, followed by a day of making, creating, and thinking about my role as Innovation Coordinator. I think it was the equivalent of a Super Bowl, if I were a pro-football player. The theme was Maker Movement. All I keep thinking is… we seriously are IN the most exciting time in education… RIGHT NOW. This is what learning is made of. It’s finally happening.
Sylvia reminded us, at the close of the keynote, “Making is not a shopping list or a special place… it’s a stance toward learning.” That stance? It’s what I’ve been waiting for in education, since I was a kid.
Even though it’s not about shopping, there are five things I enjoyed playing with today. I loved them because I could immediately imagine them in the hands of learners… and that? It’s exciting.
Cubelets: These little cubes snap together to make things. We made a robot that had a light sensor on it. The robot spun in circles and when the lights went out? The top lit up. These cubes offer learners a safe, exciting, and engaging way to explore, discover, and dream up inventions. And, best of all? There is a piece that allows you to attach Legos. That’s right, Legos.
WeDo Legos: Build Lego creations that move. Enough said. Imagine these moving parts on a Lego Wall.
MakeDo: Cardboard construction kit. Build something, design something else. They even have a great little saw for cutting cardboard. School needs more cardboard, NOT the kind that carry boxes of standardized tests, but the kind that carry possibilities and get filled with imagination.
Circuit Stickers: Create art that lights up, design a card that brightens someone else’s day, illuminate your soul with tiny LED’s, or just get these because you love making puns about lights. Paired with a roll of Copper tape, battery, and some creativity? Endless Possibilities.
TurtleArt.org: Explore programming and geometry by creating visuals with this awesome FREE program. Check out this gallery.
I know, I know, it’s not about the stuff. You could have all the stuff in the world, but if you don’t take time to explore, discover, and play? The stuff is useless. So today? I played. And tonight? I’m reminded what it’s all about. We could all use a little more playtime.