Educational Technology News

"You see it everywhere in K-12. Kindergarteners design toys for their friends to practice empathy, while learning to use a saw and glue-gun along the way. Second graders deepen their understanding of character traits while designing and sewing puppets to represent a character in a folk-tale. In high school physics, students make wind turbines in order to internalize an understanding of how magnetism can create electricity."

"The idea of creating a makerspace can be daunting, but October Smith, the K-12 science coordinator for Lamar Conslidated ISD in Texas, shared tips with teachers during last week’s Texas Computer Education Association convention."

A Human Framework For Maker Education by Jackie Gerstein For specific training and professional development around technology integration, contact TeachThought Professional Development to bring Jackie Gerstein and other TeachThought professionals to your school today.

See what the students in one maker ed program learned by working through the patent process.

"Makerspace is a relatively new method of teaching students in a space where they can get hands-on experience working with concepts they recently learned. The point of the space is to make, create, and invent new things. There are many advantages to giving students a place to apply concepts, and those benefits are true for all areas and fields of study."

A collection of ideas to consider as you work to fuel your students’ curiosity.

Maker spaces are helping students in rural communities apply technology in a way that's relevant to their local needs.

Though makerspaces are becoming more mainstream, creating and maintaining one could overwhelm educators who are starting from scratch.

New MakerBot program allows educators to promote the use of 3D printing in their classrooms, participate in challenges, and receive support.

"3D Printers are becoming increasingly common in schools – yet, in many cases pedagogy is struggling to catch up with the technology."

"Let me begin by making three confessions:

1. I think this is a very clever title … read on to find out why.
2. I thought this review would never be written; indeed, I’ve taken nearly twelve months to do so…
3. I believe I might have a form of hypergraphia. This too is highly relevant… read on to find out why. (Or, just to find out what it is.)"

"Albemarle County Public Schools Superintendent Pam Moran wants teachers to prepare students for state assessments, but the district’s makerspace philosophy brings a primary focus on preparing them for success in everyday life."