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When I was
in school, I didn’t have a strong desire to learn. Maybe in lower elementary.
But by the time I hit upper elementary/ junior high, I just wanted to get my
work done. My teachers were terrific, I just had somehow learned along the way
that I needed to memorize facts, do well on tests, get decent grades. I wasn’t
really invested in my own education and, I can say for certain, I did not do my
best. Thinking back on that, I often wonder why. What could have made me turn
around and actually be curious? To want to learn for myself? I’m not sure.
Today I
have a strong desire to learn. I feel like I’m on a constant treadmill, trying
to stay caught up with an ever-growing stack of books, blogs, articles, and
websites to learn from. I come across tweets and pause, wanting to know more. I
know I will never be caught up, but enjoy the learning process.
Two topics
are currently at the forefront of my mind – podcasts and makerspace. I’ve
thought about podcasts for some time. I’d love my students to run one. To share
book reviews and their learning. To make it their own. I’m just not sure how to
begin.
As for makerspace, I just came across the term on Twitter the other night. Kristin Ziemke was talking about it and I immediately began looking into what it was. I’m not sure on an exact definition, but it seems like you are inviting students to create. In makerspace, like podcasting, the possibilities are endless.
As for makerspace, I just came across the term on Twitter the other night. Kristin Ziemke was talking about it and I immediately began looking into what it was. I’m not sure on an exact definition, but it seems like you are inviting students to create. In makerspace, like podcasting, the possibilities are endless.
Here’s why
I am interested in these topics – they harness the creative powers of our
students. Right now I have four boys running around outside of my home as I
type. They have a stockpile of Nerf weaponry in the middle of our backyard. It
is the “cornucopia” from Hunger Games. They just dove on the pile, grabbed what
they could, and now are traipsing through the yards of our neighbors as they go
to war. My oldest just came in and did his millionth plea of the day for a Go-Pro
camera for his birthday so he could wear it on his head and videotape their
action scenes. They have spent hours creating their world. When he does take a
video of a “war” with our old camera, he spends even more time scripting it
out, editing it on iMovie, and then creating a video to upload to his YouTube
channel. He is eleven and has taught this all to himself.
I think our
kids have this potential in them. We need the creators to keep that desire
alive throughout their years at school. So I will continue to look into topics
like podcasting and makerspace and see what I can learn and bring back to my
classroom. And, if you have any advice, tips, or reading I should do, please
include that below. Now, finally, I truly do love to learn.
