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"Here are 10 types of "makers" your students can become in the classroom along with the resources that will help students construct their learning- 21st century style!"

An interesting reflection on some of the benefits of maker spaces and what the maker movement brings to education.

Maker Space - It offers so much opportunity for schools to improve the education of students. This post throws up ideas, suggests things that we should be aware of, safety points, and plenty of links. It challenges the reader to think seriously about maker spaces.

Another interesting piece about makerspaces. This time how one teacher librarian (librarian and English teacher) in the US used robotics kits in her library to respond to their reading. Her students to created characters from the stories they read and then brought them to life. Innovative and engaging hands-on learning - what's not to like. Other examples are discussed as well.

"Today, the availability of affordable constructive technology and the ability to share online has fueled the latest evolutionary spurt in this facet of human development. We stand at a crossroads marking the end of decades of thoughtless consumption and helplessness and the beginning of a new age of personal empowerment, creation, and mastery of our world that results from using technology to solve personal problems and amplify human potential. "

"In this TEDx talk, Gary Stager, curator of dailypapert.com will share a lightning fast introduction to the wit, wisdom, and powerful ideas of Seymour Papert; one of the greatest educators of the past half century. Even if you are unfamiliar with Papert, you will be astonished by his lasting impact on children as programmers, the maker movement, 1:1 computing, game-based learning, education reform, epistemological politics, and a whole lot more."

No one who is part of this new movement believes all kids should grow up to be programmers. We believe it would be a beautiful outcome if all kids grew up knowing how to use computers to enhance their natural abilities, whatever those are, and grew up with the confidence to be "makers" instead of just consumers. Computer programming is ultimately about problem solving and creating. "Thinking like a computer scientist" really means understanding what problem you are facing and breaking down that problem into solvable chunks. The better you get at recognizing the problem the more efficient your solutions become."

"Quick Makes is about giving the chance to tinker with a range of applications and programs, each with their own constraints, to discover that creating, making and engaging with technology is not only easy but can be fun, especially when we are focused. From mashing up a website with Mozilla Thimble to creating your own visual with Google Draw, spend a few minutes exploring the potential for technology to make giving a voice to learning more doable."

The post discusses five reasons why teachers should consider purchasing robotics for the K-12 classroom.