Digital Curation Assignment

 Check out my Digital Curation on Virtual/Digital Makerspaces:

https://www.pearltrees.com/erinhogue/virtual-digital-makerspaces/id75694449 

Makerspaces of all kinds have recently become a welcome addition to most school libraries.  According to the Digital Technologies Hub website, “Maker spaces are creative, self-directed learning spaces where students can create, invent and learn” (Digital Technologies Hub).  “In a maker environment, students have the opportunity to become involved with collaborative hands-on projects that promote multidisciplinary thinking and learning” (Digital Technologies Hub).  Now that you understand what a makerspace is, “What exactly is a virtual makerspace?  It’s a one-stop, web-based space (i.e., web page) where users may access digital tools for engaging in online maker-style activities” (Sannwald, 2016, p.21). 

So what’s the importance and relevance of makerspaces in today’s K-12 educational environment?  Mr. Avella, the voice behind the Teachings in Education channel on YouTube, gives many reasons why they are so beneficial.  They provide a self-directed learning environment, teaches students a growth mindset attitude (try, try, try again), promotes problem solving, allows students to find the knowledge themselves, allows students to hone their creativity, excites students, and provides for students to learn the important skill of collaboration.  (Avella, 2019). 

I hope you will find this collection of resources valuable.  This collection will allow you to see examples of virtual/digital makerspaces, view and read articles related to makerspaces, and provide you with websites and resources to use to make your own virtual makerspace.

 

REFERENCES

Avella, F. [Teachings in Education].  (2019, February 25).  Makerspaces 

           and maker learning [Video].  YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IRWEzFbPr4

 

Maker spaces (n.d.).  Digital Technologies Hub. 

https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/teach-and-assess/classroom-resources/topics/maker-spaces/

 

Sannwald, S. (2016).  Virtual makerspaces: Bringing the maker movement 

         to any school library.  California School Library Association Journal.  

         21-22.