Seven Surprising Benefits of Maker Spaces

Brandt, Alisa

Barron, C., & Barron, A. (2016, August 2). Seven surprising benefits of maker

    spaces [Blog post]. Retrieved from School Library Journal website:

    http://www.slj.com/2016/08/technology/seven-surprising-benefits-of-maker-spaces/

ET - Maker Spaces

IL - Motivation

This article reveals the seven physical and psychological benefits of maker spaces in libraries beyond meeting curriculum standards.

Focusing on making brings people into the present moment giving them a break from focusing on the past or future too much. Making is physical and gets people moving, stretching, and standing, which gets blood flowing. Making is dependent upon self-directed engagement and gives people motivation to complete a task rather than having to do a required task. This means that people are learning what interests them and leads to a greater sense of satisfaction. Making uses hand-based activities which gives people a deeper connection to their brain and the development of skills such as visual thinking and problem solving. Making improves mood, giving people a boost of happiness. Maker spaces in libraries create a sense of community and connection which can prevent loneliness. Making “prevents the habit of wastefulness” by salvaging old materials and creating something new (Barron & Barron, 2016).

Evaluation: We are all familiar with the ways that makerspaces in schools enhance student learning and help to meet curriculum standards. It is also helpful to understand the ways in which making, whether it is simple or complex, provides so many mental and physical benefits to makers. In a time when people are increasingly disconnected from others and from the physical and mental processes that keep humans healthy, making provides an opportunity to gain some of this back.

Reading Insights

Amy Hubschman

ET- Brain Research
ET- Learning Styles

Resource:

Krashen, S. (2004). The power of reading. Insights from the research. Portsmouth, NW: Heinemann Publishers

Summary:

This 150 page book summarizes what the majority of the scholarly research says about current reading trends, current reading programs, reading initiatives, reading policies, and the various types of general reading being done by children and schools across the United States.  It also discusses how reading influences cognitive development in young children.  Every discussion is backed up professional studies and offers readers quick summaries of what the complied findings do and don't say on the particular topics.   

Evaluation:

Although this book covers numerous topics the main focus of the book is FVR or Free Voluntary Reading.  FVR is one of the main highlights of most libraries.  Information professionals have the task of connecting the patron to the needed piece of information and majority of the time that is FVR information pieces/topics.  This book would be helpful for new classroom educators and new school librarians to summarize the vast majority of current research involving reading trends and give them a firm foundation of what professionals and leaders in the field of information science collectively say on various topics.