The Maker MovementSociety is continuously moving towards a “creator society.” In this framework there is an increasing pressure for individuals to be innovative and creative. The Maker Movement is increasingly becoming a part of our educational structures and this has implications for the classroom environment. While innovation and creativity is not a new concept within the education world, we are seeing an increase in its prevalence in this digital age.
Theorists, such as Piaget and Dewey, emphasize the importance of invention and creativity in the learning process. Alberta Education is also a proponent of this movement, which is reflected in their “Inspiring Education” initiative, which supports the training of students to become “engaged thinkers and ethical citizens with entrepreneurial spirits.” One way to engage thinkers is to utilize hands-on learning with an emphasis on creative innovation. Some of the ways that the Maker Movement has been incorporated into schools include:
Hour of Code provides an opportunity for people of all ages to learn introductory coding; coding has been cited as one of the necessary skills required for employment for future generations. In exploring Hour of Code, I had the opportunity to learn a little bit about coding and how it works. The program is easy to navigate and has a variety of options available for areas of interest. I had the opportunity to explore the Frozen, Artist, Classic Maze, and Star Wars programs. Some were quite simplistic while others allowed you to try more complex coding. The great thing about Hour of Code is that there is a suitable program for people of all ages and abilities, making coding an attainable goal for all. Check out some screenshots of my own experience using Hour of Code below or try it for yourself at: https://code.org/learn |
Mrs. Wood's Classroom | The Maker Movement |