Computational Tinkering Result | |
File Size: | 5900 kb |
File Type: | mp4 |
The biggest advantage of being apart of UTeach maker that I've found was access to the weekend workshops which were a great opportunity not only to learn skills but to also see how other maker spaces function around the city. I've been to quite a few but for now I'll focus on those I went to this semester.
Maker Weekend Workshops: Computational Tinkering 9/15/19
Coding has been an ongoing WIP of mine, particularly working with arduinos. I have worked on some before, produced some good results but I always jump towards the chance to practice those skills when I can. Not only was I able to play around with some code, but I got to use some new tools to express myself. The result really embodied how I feel about making. Even though all the parts were there and my input felt minimal, the result I had was unique and special to me. I had power over the production of the product and I made it my own.
Maker Weekend Workshops: Tools and Team Building 10/20/19
While this workshop may not have been one that I could easily replicate in my school, my biggest takeaway was the teamwork aspect involved. I was able to work with my peers and produce a tangible product at the end of it all. Despite the products success (or lack thereof) it was an accomplishment to build something in that short time. I also never turn down opportunities to use power tools.
Maker Weekend Workshops: Cardboard Connections 11/10/19
This workshop focused on using cardboard in the classroom and demonstrated different techniques that could be used to use cardboard more efficiently and creatively. I chose to go to this workshop because cardboard is a cheap material that I know my students have access to, and I would be able to supply in large amounts even if they didn't. I appreciated the low tech and low barrier to entry for this workshop since it gives students a easy path into making. Especially since cardboard can easily be replaced and changed unlike other processes that aren't so kind to failure.
Maker Faire Austin 2019
At the maker faire here in Austin, I volunteered helping set up and break down a few of the PD sessions. I had the opportunity to participate in a couple as well, including the pi-top build your own laptop session. It was cool seeing what companies were doing that was maker oriented. At the showroom, I was able to see a wide variety of different projects going on and even got to see some of the stuff that my classmates had been working on around Austin.
After seeing all these ways making is implemented around the city, one of the main goals I have for my own school is to extend the tools and skills to other classes and areas of studying outside of my own classroom. We've been fortunate enough to have our spaces recently renovated and I've been working on ordering equipment that can be used in our maker space. My goal for the coming year is to open up these tools to other teachers at my school as well as help them incorporate or add maker aspects into their lessons.
Maker Weekend Workshops: Computational Tinkering 9/15/19
Coding has been an ongoing WIP of mine, particularly working with arduinos. I have worked on some before, produced some good results but I always jump towards the chance to practice those skills when I can. Not only was I able to play around with some code, but I got to use some new tools to express myself. The result really embodied how I feel about making. Even though all the parts were there and my input felt minimal, the result I had was unique and special to me. I had power over the production of the product and I made it my own.
Maker Weekend Workshops: Tools and Team Building 10/20/19
While this workshop may not have been one that I could easily replicate in my school, my biggest takeaway was the teamwork aspect involved. I was able to work with my peers and produce a tangible product at the end of it all. Despite the products success (or lack thereof) it was an accomplishment to build something in that short time. I also never turn down opportunities to use power tools.
Maker Weekend Workshops: Cardboard Connections 11/10/19
This workshop focused on using cardboard in the classroom and demonstrated different techniques that could be used to use cardboard more efficiently and creatively. I chose to go to this workshop because cardboard is a cheap material that I know my students have access to, and I would be able to supply in large amounts even if they didn't. I appreciated the low tech and low barrier to entry for this workshop since it gives students a easy path into making. Especially since cardboard can easily be replaced and changed unlike other processes that aren't so kind to failure.
Maker Faire Austin 2019
At the maker faire here in Austin, I volunteered helping set up and break down a few of the PD sessions. I had the opportunity to participate in a couple as well, including the pi-top build your own laptop session. It was cool seeing what companies were doing that was maker oriented. At the showroom, I was able to see a wide variety of different projects going on and even got to see some of the stuff that my classmates had been working on around Austin.
After seeing all these ways making is implemented around the city, one of the main goals I have for my own school is to extend the tools and skills to other classes and areas of studying outside of my own classroom. We've been fortunate enough to have our spaces recently renovated and I've been working on ordering equipment that can be used in our maker space. My goal for the coming year is to open up these tools to other teachers at my school as well as help them incorporate or add maker aspects into their lessons.