Information and digital literacy in education via the digital path

Unless you live under a rock or are completely off the grid when it comes to technology, you’re probably aware of the maker movement. However, if you need a refresher, I made an infographic. The maker movement is such an exciting time for students and teachers alike! Yet, while a part of you is excited, the other part of you is flooded with the reasons why you just can’t start a makerspace right now.

“I have no money.”
“I’m just not super comfortable with technology.”
“We don’t have devices at my school.”
“I don’t have the space.”
“I don’t have the schedule that allows me to teach the kids how to do the stuff.” 

I find this to be incredibly unfortunate. Not unfortunate in that I wish you had more money and were more comfortable with technology (although I sympathize), but unfortunate in that you think you need both of those to start a makerspace. With the massive amount of information out there about makerspaces, somewhere along the way, the term “maker” became synonymous with words like “3-D printing” and “robots.”

My husband loves woodworking and I like building computers. Am I more of a “maker” than he is? Am I being less of a maker when I use zip-ties and soda caps to fix my son’s toy car rather than 3-D printing a replacement part? Absolutely not!