Overview
Some general readings:
Excerpts from The Art of Tinkering by Karen Wilkinson and Mike Petrich, including a few words from Dale Dougherty, founder of MAKE magazine; Leah Buechley, founder of the MIT Media Lab's High Low Tech Group; and our own Mike and Karen, about the work that is near and dear to our hearts and minds.
Chapter 2 of Invent to Learn, by Sylvia Libow Martinez and Gary S. Stager. This chapter explores one interpretation of the difference between tinkering, making, and engineering. Tell us what you think in the discussion fórum.
OTHER RESOURCES
MAKE Magazine: http://makezine.com
Leah Buechley's web site: http://leahbuechley.org
Invent to Learn by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager: http://www.inventtolearn.com
The Tinkering Studio website and blog: http://tinkering.exploratorium.edu
Chapter 2 of «Invent to Learn» focus on constructivism and constructionism, learning theories that are grounded on the learner capability of learning over previous knowledge and experience with the help of mentors and peers. Constructivism is an heritage of Lev Vigotsky. a russian developmental psychologyist «who saw human psychological development as emerging through interpersonal connections and actions with the social environment». Vigotsky remained practically unknown til the 60's, with Piaget's observations of learning development of children.
Adding technology to the constructivist approach results in constructionism, a heritage of Seymour Papert who in the 80's promoted the pedagogical use of computers, logo programming and the robot, and this heritage frames the Maker Movement. In fact learning by doing and experimenting within real contexts has former advocates and theorists such as John Dewey.
Each individual learns differently and there are multiple intelligences, as Howard Gardner defends. For most of us learning by doing can be rather motivating and more effective. Papert's contribution adds this aspect of action, triggered by questioning or finding some solution for a problem.
Montessori approach to children's education is also focused on the interaction with materials and tools and most of them can be made at low cost. Maria Montessori was the first italian woman doctor who in her first professional years worked in an instituion with children with disabilities and tried to stimulate them in a learning process with adapted methods and tools.
The computer as a tool in the classroom remained a challenge and the Internet turned it more powerful and in later years it became more accessible and affordable. Mobile technology is now in the hands of most youngsters. This reality favours learning with technology.
In a consumerist society many resources are available and can be recycled. Adopting a «tinker» mindset , joining craft and technology
in the classroom helps students to learn in their own style, leaving room to creativity and invention., turning learning much more appealing and motivating.
List of Materials & Instructional Guides
Electric circuits projects
This course presents many projects with electric circuits and I have some previous works compiled in the following vídeo:
The resource Technological Lifeforms refers to the installations of Taiwan born Shih Chieh Huang,
In 2014 he delvered this TED talk
«It looks lie fun, but are they learning» is a chapter of a book that adresses the concerns of the play and the learning, how people get engaged in hands-on actives, tinkering. Learning with the hands is one of the many ways to learn and very often more effective than just reading about. Considering the simple connection of circuits one tests and experiments,see if it works or not...try again. This is na approach long defended by the construcnism of Papert.
A resource on Learning Dimensions Framework
Constructing Knowledge and Transforming the World
In this paper, Edith provides a personal view of constructivism and constructionism, two important theories of learning in education, based on her experiences working with both Jean Piaget and Seymour Papert. She then tries to bring them together with the social-constructivist perspective of Lev Vygotsky.
From DIY (Do It Yourself) to BIIT (Be In It Together)
Kids today are growing up surrounded by emerging technologies. The connectedness and changing relationships this brings is something Edith sees as positive, and can help children push beyond mere adoption towards an attitude of appropriation that calls upon their creativity and sense of community.
The Craftsman, the Trickster, and the Poet
The craftsman, the trickster, and the poet are emblematic of the creativity within all of us. In this piece, Edith explores the origins and outcomes of creative thought and the implications for those of us engaged in supporting the thinking and learning of others.
A manuscript, currently under review by the journal Curator, that details a pilot study conducted by the Exploratorium's Visitor Research and Evaluation Department and is related to this week's reflection question.