I was very lucky this week to head up to Manchester, NH to attend the Constructing Modern Knowledge conference. This conference is about making connections between child-centered learning theories and the creative construction of knowledge with computers.” Participants made robots, clay-animation films, Lego projects, instruments and a whole lot of “stuff” that represents the best of innovative thinking. It was like a Kindergarten class for grownups. I took part because of the current momentum toward “making things.” The growing popularity on “making” was best illustrated in the hugely successful Maker Faire held in California last month.
Also, I think it’s important for school leaders to leave their comfort zones to find out ways of helping ALL kids. Even if I can’t make a robot (which I can’t), I should still provide the opportunity for a Lane student to make one.
At the conference, I was most impressed with the film maker, Casey Neistat, who spoke about the access today’s filmmakers have to publishing their work. Unlike 20 years ago when publishing companies created many obstacles to one’s work being seen, nowadays, any filmmaker can publish to the web via You Tube. What does this mean for our students and schools?
There are endless opportunities for our students to become digital learners and creators (makers). Casey talked about how one doesn’t need fancy equipment to make creative films. Below is a short film about his tap dance teaching grandma. Notice how Casey uses paper and pens to help tell the story.
The conference has inspired me to create a Maker Day here at Lane. I have just started thinking of how we can pull this off, so details will come home sometime this Fall. But I envision a day when we have all 515 students making something. whether they are knitting, cooking, programming robots, making sculptures from Popsicle sticks, or who knows, maybe making a cardboard arcade like this boy did:
3 responses so far ↓
Gary Stager // Jul 16th 2012 at 7:07 am
Rob,
I’m thrilled that you joined us in what was a remarkable four days. I look forward to reading more about your thinking in the future.
You’ll have to bring a team to CMK next year
Best,
Gary
Meighan // Jul 22nd 2012 at 11:01 pm
I LOVE this idea. This is a great age for kids to be doing things with their hands. I believe it helps the brain develop and is a great way for kids to practice and test seeing projects to completion and visions become tangible. My son was knitting and doing woodworking projects this past year in 5th grade in his private school. I was chatting with a friend who lives in London today and he said his 5th grader was involved in Lego robot competitions – do we have something like this in our area?
Tricia // Aug 4th 2012 at 8:21 am
I think this is a wonderful idea. last school year when the boys created their claw machine which went up to the art show was inspired partly from Caines Arcade they learned how to recycle, measurements creativity, research, and how much fun they had learning when they did not even realize because they enjoyed doing what they were doing and their creation still sits in my living room and they use it and have lots of fun and it was a team builder for the boys. I know your.your new idea will have much success for the students of Lane School.
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