Brainstorming (v):
Brainstorming
combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem solving with lateral
thinking. It encourages people to come up with thoughts and ideas that
can, at first, seem a bit crazy. Some of these ideas can be crafted into
original, creative solutions to a problem, while others can spark even
more ideas.
- Mindtools
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So according to MindTools.com, I'm encouraged to come up with some wild crazy ideas for my vision project.
AWESOME.
(This didn't really change the fact that I stared at my keyboard for a good 15min prior to starting).
I've been toying with a few ideas for creating a vision project that encorporates my prior knowledge, and leaves it open for future knowledge to be added. As previously mentioned, I've been passionate about literacy and hands on learning(ADST, Makerspaces, etc) so naturally, seeing as I want this project to continue after this course, my thoughts went straight to creating a Makerspace. The huge-ness of this brought me down to earth to consider starting smaller, and maybe including digital content, or starting out as a digital platform to then move into physical.
Running through my head are a jumble of ideas and thoughts. My thought process went a little like this:
Makerspace → Library (don't currently have a physical space though...) → So digital, maybe a website about implementing a space? (what are the chances its going to be read or shared out if I don't push it? There are also so many of these out there already..) → how can I combine makerspace and the library and a digital format? → I've always wanted to start a resource center with bins that can be taken out by educators for lessons...combine that idea with makerspace website??
This left me with a couple ideas that I wanted to persue more.
1) "Digital Makerspace" - online space for those to come together and share ideas and learning on ADST projects and lessons.
2) Digital Makerspace - educator oriented website to download lessons based on curricular competency and grade.
3) "orderable STEM/ADST bins that include the online lesson link from a digital makerspace"
My ultimate goal was to connect the library/learning commons with the current curriculum and allow a space for students to connect lessons to books and real world applications.
Thinking back to reading "Why School", I know that the authors son had a creative way to show problem solving, creative thinking and skills outside of academia using his game. I can't help but think how fast he would have marched to the library if he had known that there were books about his game, or even that he could apply some of the skills learned in the game to something else (like a coding station perhaps?)
This idea is for mainly designed for educators but my hope, is that students will be shown the website so that if they would like to create a project at home, they are able to follow the lesson/idea/video.
One of the librarian blogs that I've come across posted a really great little post about how they are turning their Makerspace digital as to always be accessible by students. This is something I'm going to follow and see how they manage their digital "space".
You can read about it here ↷
So, although I'm still deciding between a few bigger ideas, I think I know the general vein of what I want to do. Up next will be to smooth out some wrinkles and narrow down my vision and decide who I want to target with my grand idea.
Stay tuned!
Sources:
"Brainstorming: Generating Many Radical, Creative Ideas". Mindtools.Com, 2020, https://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html
Miller, Shannon. "Thinking About Our New Makerspace.....Bringing It Online With The "Digital Makerspace" Too". The Library Voice, 2014, https://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/2014/03/thinking-about-our-new.html.
I really enjoy reading your blog! Gets me excited about teaching again and wish I were back in the classroom. You've definitely left an impact through things you've written! Love this idea of a digital makerspace! Super intriguing--cant wait to hear about what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteYou have identified some strong options for your final project. I am intrigued by the idea of a digital makerspace and like that you are considering who your audience would be. A key theme for us has been about connecting to a PLN. I wonder if there might be a space on your digital platform where people could either submit pictures of their builds or submit challenges for others? I am excited to see this unfold!
ReplyDeleteLIBE 477 Hi Carissa I love your idea #3 of having orderable STEM/ADST materials that include an online link to from a digital makerspace. Our TL came into some money from our PAC, and she was able to purchase a rolling shelving unit that included boxes of loose parts/STEM materials like bolts and screws, K'Nex, kevaplanks with physical lesson plans/ideas. We were all able to "play" during a staff meeting so teachers in the building got really excited to collaborate with the TL and co-teach. I had a Scholastic Stem Challenges box during remote learning that saved me as it included challenges with everyday material like Qtips, toothpicks, tape, etc. but having durable, reusable materials on a larger scale for the whole school would be very beneficial.
ReplyDeleteHi Carissa, Your initial ideas are very creative and it sounds like there is a lot of potential to create an artifact where students/educators come together to collaborate and share innovative ideas for designing and creating. Jaya
ReplyDeleteHi Carissa,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you opened this post with the definition of a brainstorm. We have been hearing that term since elementary school, etc. but I personally, never stopped to think how low-stress it actually is. It is a way to get our ideas out and not have to worry about right and wrong. Like Darcy, I am very intrigued by a digital makerspace. I would definitely use it!
Luisa T.