Makerspaces Reflection Journal

     For this project, I plan to create a catalogue of activities I would be able to share in a makerspace environment, with the skill set I have currently, on short notice. This is not a definitive or all-encompassing list of what I would want to offer in the future, just a collection of what I would be able to provide at this moment in time as an example.      This list would be for myself (to visualize where I can grow and improve), and possibly for others to get ideas for makerspace activities. The catalogue would feature different crafting activities that could be used in community makerspaces. I could see a catalogue like this being used by a makerspace coordinator when deciding on what kinds of crafts to offer at planned events. I am picturing this taking place in a public library makerspace, but could also be used in a personal makerspace, or at a maker fair. As with any other catalogue, its purpose would be as an easy collection for planners to bro...

  It is very possible that everyone already knows about this, but I wanted to talk about what Make Magazine is doing. Whenever I bring up this class to my family, my dad always brings up how he remembers this being a thing during his grad school days, and how it was all tech based. After looking at their current-day website, they have definitely spread out to other kinds of making. They started in 2005 as a magazine, but have since spread out to maker faires, maker kits, youth camps, and they also have a makerspace directory that was interesting to look through.  I got really drawn in while looking over their project library. They have so many different categories that I think could connect with any maker. Some of my favorite categories were: Costumes/cosplay/props Art/sculpture Craft/design Energy/sustainability Woodworking I would highly recommend looking through the website, I feel really inspired and ready to make things after going through some of the ideas and resources....

 

  Budget: "Making Spaces Toolkit"  https://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Making-Spaces-Toolkit.pdf Links to an external site.   This document acts as a worksheet for crowdfunding your own makerspace from conception to being fully funded,  but pages 24-26 talk about creating a budget.   Physical or Virtual Spaces: "Is Hands-On Learning Better than Online Learning"  https://1stmakerspace.com/blog/is-hands-on-learning-better-than-online?srsltid=AfmBOoqLZEYg6PPeAmrYQBfcBdI2CWrb813-hI9iaMXpjKNMwC2e0suC Links to an external site.   This website talks about the differenced in physical vs online learning environments. The conclusion ultimately strengthens my personal opinion by stating physical engagement maximizes knowledge retention and skill development.    Themes: "A Thematic Approach to Planning Your Maker Space"  https://www.slj.com/story/a-thematic-approach-to-planning-your-maker-space Links to an external site.   An article...

Main Post      I honestly did not agree with many of the resources this module when it comes to what the maker movement is, and makers in general. The article "Maker Culture" summed up the themes I picked up on in the other articles well, by only describing the technology aspects of makerspaces. The articles defining the terms "Maker Culture" and "Maker Education", seemed to define the terms as a technology offshoot of DIY/crafting culture. I think this does not properly encompass what those two terms actually mean. I consider myself a maker, but prefer the physical kinds of making over computers. I am not saying maker culture does not include technology, not at all, but I think it is restrictive to exclude other kinds of making.      I think all humans are "makers", as humans have been making things for basically all of human history. I also think this technology-only approach also goes against what we have learned previously in the course. Than...