Found Friday Tech Makerspaces
Hi friends!
One of my library makerspaces next year will be for “making” with technology. And I’ve found a few great ideas to share with you!
My plan is that for the first half of the year, I’ll have the tech maker space focused on one app (or one type of app) for 2 weeks at a time, to allow students to explore and create with that app. During the second half of the year, I’ll allow them to choose the app they want to use.
Apps on Task
Primary Possibilities posted step-by-step directions for locking any iDevice onto a single app, so that your students can’t wander to a game or other activity than what you had planned. I know that makerspaces typically allow for creative freedom, but I want our students to learn how to use each app effectively before I grant them the privilege of app choice!
Apps to Teach Coding
From the Whiteboard Blog in the UK is a list of 8 apps to teach Coding and Programming, and 6 of them are free! I’ll have the iPads and iPad minis at the tech makerspace set to different coding apps, so that the students can explore and find one that they love. And share those finds with each other. Maybe they’ll be able to convince their parents to download the app on a device at home!
Stop Motion Lego Movies
This project combines construction and technology! Debbie Smith on the Mustang Blog describes how students created a story with a beginning, middle, and end, created characters and a setting with Legos, then filmed the story with the Stop Motion app!
I think this qualifies as makerspace-smashing when you combine three types of making: writing, building, and technology!
Lego MusicMaker
I may have just been incredibly distracted by my latest find, the Lego Music Maker! First of all, I didn’t even have a music component to my makerspace plan. Now I do! Second….LEGOS! Third, you drag around Lego blocks that represent tracks in a musical score (percussion, guitar, synthesizer and voice) to create a musical composition! You can save it with a code and come back to work on it later–no login required. Musical making!
Now, I’d better go order some headphones!
Have you found great technology ideas for your library makerspace? Please share them in a comment!
