What to Make of Makerspaces?

Stallings, Tayci

ET

Fourie, Ina, & Meyer, Anika. (2015). What to make of makerspaces. Library Hi Tech, 33(4), 519-525. Retrieved from https://sjsu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=TN_proquest1732337387&context=PC&vid=01CALS_SJO&search_scope=ALL_ARTICLES&tab=articles&lang=en_US

The purpose of this paper is to comment on such publications within the library and information science (LIS) literature and to warn libraries to not only focus on providing physical spaces and tools but to explore the bigger potential of extended, interconnected spaces for information and information resources and "mutations" of makerspaces such as makerlearning.

Describes Makerspaces and gives some examples.

Zepnick, Jaclyn

Z

Smithsonian National Museum of American History. (2017).  Do Try This At Home! Retrieved from http://invention.si.edu/try/do-try-home

This is a “fun” link I found while browsing the web for ideas in creating a Virtual Makerspace for the library I work at. Via the Smithsonian’s “Fun Stuff for Kids Online,” the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation has an entirely different approach to fun stuff for kids not online. 

While I could not incorporate any of these activities into my Virtual Makerspace (that would defeat the purpose of being “virtual”), I thought teachers and teacher librarians could get ideas about activities that students can physically do in class, the library, or at home. Make sure to click on the Spark!Lab and Encouraging Innovative Thinking tabs too. 

Coteaching and the Learning Comons

Alpers, Jessica

ET-Educational Theory and Practice

CO-Collaboration

Loertscher, D. V., & Koechlin, C. (2015). Coteaching and the learning commons: Building a participatory school culture. Teacher Librarian, 43(2), 12.

Summary: The focus of this paper is to inform on how to build a school culture with emphasis placed on participation. The two strategies used to accomplish this are creating a learning commons and instituting collaboration and coteaching with the librarian and teachers. Dr. Loertscher defines coteaching as “the art of two or more mentor adults who plan, teach, and assess a learning experience together.” This is then supported with a study he conducted. A learning commons is then described, much like we have described in our workshops. Adding to this, the collaboration is described. One specific not is the use of the 18 think models, and moving past “bird units.” The paper concludes by stating that this movement will strengthen the school as a learning force.

Evaluation: This paper is a wonderful source for a summary of what many of our workshops have discussed. None of the information is new, however it is a good review and a good resource. For those wishing to have a written form of what we have discussed, or a compiled summary, I would highly recommend this article. It does not hurt that it was written by our very own Dr. L.!

A Collaborative Journey: The Learning Commons

Amanda Rude

ET, CO

KOLOD, L. k., & UNGAR, B. b. (2016). A Collaborative Journey The Learning Commons. Teacher Librarian, 43(4), 22-27. Retrieved from http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=114825284&site=ehost-live&scope=site

This article takes the reader though one school's Journey from a traditional library to a 21st century learning commons.  Outlined in particular is the planning, research and collaboration that went into the process.  the end product is truly amazing and is an idyllic representation of the the learning commons.

The Maker Movement and the Library Movement: Understanding the Makerspaces Opportunity

Heichel, Paula

ET Maker Spaces

IL 3D Printing

Adam, S., & Dysart, J. (2014). The Maker Movement and the Library Movement: Understanding the Makerspaces Opportunity. Feliciter, 60(1), 11-13.

Summary: A symposium on Creative Making in Libraries & Museums designed and led by the authors of the article garnered valuable insight about the opportunity traditional establishments have used to transform available space into a variety of different maker spaces.  Experts from Canada and the United States share progress made through writing labs, 3D printing and scanning, neighborhood workshops, robotics and off grid access to digital information. The message from the “tips to success” portion of this article emphasizes the process of making something over quickly getting to the end result, or product.  The expectation of failure and experiential learning equals a safe and engaging place where patrons share and celebrate the acquisition of skills and information. The success of the Maker Movement at every level is dependent on activities that allow user, or student-centered learning to engage and motive participants.

Evaluation: The articles gives clear examples and general guidance for using the opportunity the Maker Movement advocates. Good examples of successful maker spaces are explained. Other schools and museums that are incorporating or wondering about the aspects of maker spaces and the resources available to the staff and/or public users will find the article useful. The authors continue to conduct symposiums to advocate this type of networking for libraries, museum and any other institution interested in participating in the movement.

The best advice is at the very end of the article: START SMALL and build-on the positive results.

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.

The Best Animation Tools, from CrazyTalk and Toon Boom to Free Web Apps

Alan Phelps

IL

Stern, J. (2011, May). The Best Animation Tools, from CrazyTalk and Toon Boom to Free Web Apps. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2011/05/reviews/tech/the-best-animation-tools-from-crazytalk-and-toon-boom-to-free-web-apps/

Summary

This is a good informative review article discussing online animation tools and some of the ways they are being used in schools. The article talks about the importance of schools giving students a creative outlet and tools to express themselves but the bulk of the article is a review of the best pay and free online animation tools. CrazyTalk and ToonBoom were selected as the best pay tools and they recommend quite a few free online sites like AniBoom and CreaToon 3.0 as two of the best. They also review and recommend some non-animated comic strip creation tools that look fun and interesting.

Evaluation

I liked this article because it was non biased and informative. It gave good concise information on each tool or website and explained what they liked and disliked about each. I am particularly interested in this because next year I want to begin creating a maker space in the high school library at which I am the TL. Over the course of the next few years I want to use part of the library space for drawing, digital storytelling, animation, video making, and someday, maybe even 3-D printing. I will refer back to this article when I am ready to begin work on this space. While this article is from 2011 I think it is still relevant but I need to look into the recommended sites and tools to see if they are still at the top.