Having just returned from the MACUL conference, I was struck by the number of educators who don't identify themselves as makers. A maker by definition is "a person or thing that makes or produces something." (Google) It seems to me that by that definition that all humans are makers.
Perhaps the reason that many of the educators that I met at the MACUL conference don't identify as makers is that they have had the creative spirit educated out of them. This theory is based on an amazing TED Talk by Sir Ken Robinson. (Included below)
To summarize he posits that schools educate students into compliance which defeats the creative ability of kids. Do you agree with this statement? In an environment based on standardized testing and high stakes performance is there time to be creative?
The maker movement is catching fire nationwide and I believe it is a direct response to try to counteract the loss of creativity. Students should be empowered to be creative in their daily classwork and be allowed to innovate (which presents a low stakes chance to fail) to put their mark on the way they learn. As an educator, you have the unique opportunity to empower your students to change the world. Notice I said empower, not force. It is imperative that you embrace the same mindset as the students if you are going to shift the paradigm in your classroom. In other words, go make something awesome, perhaps you fail or perhaps you succeed, but you will learn something from the experience regardless of the outcome.
If you need some inspiration to get started come check out the FREE Classroom Makers Summit on June 20, 2018 in Battle Creek. Registration details can be found here: (Maker Summit Details)
Perhaps the reason that many of the educators that I met at the MACUL conference don't identify as makers is that they have had the creative spirit educated out of them. This theory is based on an amazing TED Talk by Sir Ken Robinson. (Included below)
To summarize he posits that schools educate students into compliance which defeats the creative ability of kids. Do you agree with this statement? In an environment based on standardized testing and high stakes performance is there time to be creative?
The maker movement is catching fire nationwide and I believe it is a direct response to try to counteract the loss of creativity. Students should be empowered to be creative in their daily classwork and be allowed to innovate (which presents a low stakes chance to fail) to put their mark on the way they learn. As an educator, you have the unique opportunity to empower your students to change the world. Notice I said empower, not force. It is imperative that you embrace the same mindset as the students if you are going to shift the paradigm in your classroom. In other words, go make something awesome, perhaps you fail or perhaps you succeed, but you will learn something from the experience regardless of the outcome.
If you need some inspiration to get started come check out the FREE Classroom Makers Summit on June 20, 2018 in Battle Creek. Registration details can be found here: (Maker Summit Details)
