Makerspaces

In my class, for example, we use blogging, a G+ community, Twitter with a class hashtag for backchanneling and Questions of the Week, Diigo for social bookmarking and collaborative annotation, and the entire suite of Google Apps for Education.

Offer a Creative Toolbox Consider having a brainstorm wall of apps and tools useful for creating films, editing photos, etc. My students help curate this, and even include inspiring artists to follow on Instagram and Vine. They simply write the name on a Post-it and affix it to a giant white poster. I have a G+ community and a Diigo folder for all my "creativity" resources, many of which are tools I happen upon online but don't have the time to try out. If students test them, they can write reviews.

design specs!

“There is no one-size fits all model, no two Makerspaces should be the same. It should reflect the needs, wants, and ability of the students,” explained Fleming. Fleming stresses the importance of creating a Makerspace that fits the environment. The students must be an integral part of the process so they can take ownership of the space and want to be a part of it.

The fixed stations include a Lego set for challenges, a Makey-Makey kit for redesigning technology, a Little Bits bar for robotics, a 3-D printer for designing and creating, and a take-apart station for dismantling outdated computers. Flexible stations include a molecular gastronomy kit used to make outlandish flavor combinations like chocolate caviar and a toothbrush robotics kit.

“Trust not only that your students can handle the space but also trust them to learn and fill in the blanks of what you might not know as an educator,” Fleming said.