Reflections on Making while sitting in my MakerSpace// Having a Teen MakerSpace has changed some of how I interact with teens in my library. In addition to having a traditional program, I now have a space and a way to interact with my teens on a more come as you are informal way. I know […]
Reflections on Making while sitting in my MakerSpace// Having a Teen MakerSpace has changed some of how I interact with teens in my library. In addition to having a traditional program, I now have a space and a way to interact with my teens on a more come as you are informal way. I know that some libraries have teen spaces with a teen desk that is staffed by a teen librarian, but I have never had a space like that. But this past week I spent the week working with teens in small groups in my small space. And in my down time, I thought about what having a MakerSpace means to me. And I cheated and storified those Tweets for this post today.
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How to include literacy in MakerSpaces:
Display teen bks; combine tech w/storytelling challenges; talk to teens about bks as you make
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Making doesn't supersede bks in libraries any more than programming did. They go hand in hand. Making is just programming w//diff name/tools
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And honestly, if a maker is someone who makes something, a large part of teen programming has always been about making.
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But I'm married to an artist, so I'm definitely very STEAM vs STEM oriented. We are all makers. We have always been makers.
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These are things I think about as I work with teens in this new space. I am loving the interaction, the creativity, the discussion.
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But I also realize that the meat of what I do as a librarian really hasn't changed at all.
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My MakerSpace also includes origami paper/bks; drawing supplies bks; a Rainbow Loom & bands; Legos; coloring sheets . . . it's not all tech.
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This whole process has really made me think about what I want to do and why as I "sell" it to admin & coworkers.
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And our process and definitions keeps evolving as we take in new information, answer questions, and just work with our teens.
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The best advice I hear over & over is don't be afraid to just dive in and learn along with your teens. If I wait to feel comfortable doing
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some of the things then I will never get them started. Coding, for example, is a huge stumbling block for me. So I am starting w/iPad apps
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and learning along with me teens. That has been the biggest difference for me in programming models.
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Coding is my biggest fear. My arch-nemesis if you will. But with some good tools & encouragement I'm diving in. Slowly. And w/my teens.
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What is a programming or maker idea that you would like to try but are kind of overwhelmed or afraid of? I can't be the only one.

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