Bringing Learning to Life through Makerspaces
For decades, school buildings have incorporated common spaces where students can explore and learn outside the classroom. Libraries, for examples, are repositories of literature, textbooks, reference materials, and all varieties of printed text. Computer labs contain collections of desktops or laptops that students can access to practice typing or coding skills or to do research or work on a wide variety of technology-based projects. Alongside libraries and computer labs, the makerspace has emerged as a new such area in schools. Dale Dougherty, who coined the term Maker Movement to describe this growing trend, explains the idea behind makerspaces. “I have been focusing on the importance of creating a space where kids have the opportunity to make -- a place where some tools, materials, and enough expertise can get them started. These places, called makerspaces, share some aspects of the shop class, home economics class, the art studio, and science labs. In effect, a makerspace is a phys...