Standard: Designing Learning Environments to Support Participatory Learning
Theme: Designing for Creativity and Innovation
Growth Phase: Leading
Growth Indicator: Learning experiences are developed to invite creativity and innovation.
Jennifer Brown, teacher-librarian, Castle Oaks Public School, Peel District School Board, Ontario, reflects on developing a deeper understanding of the library learning commons“maker movement” achieved through collaborative planning and student voice thus creating maker communities or cultures unique to each school.
Brown, J. (April 18, 2017). Uncovering the “Truth” About Makerspace [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.open-shelf.ca/170417-truth-makerspace/
This MakerEdTo presentation focuses on introducing “Makey Makey” and “LEGO WeDo” tools to inspire teachers for coding, STEM, and inquiry based learning initiatives. Includes sample projects and supporting reference materials.
Surdivall, T. & Buksner, S. (2018). Global Citizens in a Digital Age [Slideshare]. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bjPMuC4_bRDwJZrDsOsBPBPZKoOzdC4_Iwb5FzBHfGk/edit#slide=id.g3cd035388a_0_213
This inspiring post outlines how “cosplay” – the practice of dressing up/creating an original or pop culture character outfit and a staple at comic and anime convention – was incorporated in an elementary/middle school library learning commons maker space project developing confidence, creativity, and thinking skills and processes on a small budget.
Maliszewski, D. (2018, March 27). Cosplay Creation with Elementary Students [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/2018/03/teens-ya/cosplay-creation-maker-space/#_
This video outlines a collaborative, system-wide digital maker project submitted by Regina Catholic schools. The interdisciplinary participatory learning project was spearheaded and built by district leaders in curriculum, educational technology and teacher-librarians as a framework for essential skills for 21st century learning. The video includes student examples and aspirations – one student aspires to be a librarian who can use tinker tubs with students. The project is a Canadian entry for the “Follet Challenge” – information about the challenge and an archive of previously selected projects can be found on the “Follett Challenge” site.
Follett Challenge. (2018, December 28). Regina Catholic Schools Tinker Tub Project [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0cEToIsVIU
An enthusiastic and inspiring teacher-librarian from Chilliwack, BC, shares several innovative curricular based makerspace project descriptions with photos and includes numerous links to other unique maker projects and strategies for use and adaptation, most cost/enviro friendly and collaborative.
Hunt, C. (2019, March 18). Tinkering with Makerspaces. Canadian School Libraries Journal, 3 (1). Retrieved fromhttp://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/tinkering-with-makerspaces/
A teacher-librarian from Peel School District, Ontario, moved from a physical library space to a fully virtual program in the 2020-2021 pandemic school year. This exemplar enables viewing videos based on the virtual presentation she gave at the Educational Computing Organization of Ontario (ECOO) Bring It Together conference February, 2021. The presentation includes exploration of “the pedagogy and philosophy that anchors the curation of the virtual library learning commons to provide maker prompts, continuing to embed literacy-based inquiry and culturally responsive practices in school wide make prompts and provocations”. Includes key links from the presentation to explore.
Lyons, B. (2021, May 12). Virtual Maker Learning in the Library Learning Commons. Canadian School Libraries Journal 5(2). Retrieved from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/virtual-maker-learning-in-the-llc/