Playwright Samuel Beckett once wrote “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” The concept of “fail better” is a fundamental component of iteratively working toward success, be it in personal, educational, professional or creative pursuits. In fact, the original Beckett quote could just be the basis of the “maker movement,” which draws inspiration from Jean Piaget’s constructivism and its applications like constructionism.
Modern curriculum and instruction leaders are turning to methodologies like maker learning to create meaningful education in their schools — a broader approach to learning focused on relevance, experience and impact. Educators can become experts in these and other areas of forward-looking educational practices through studies in the online Master of Science in Education (MSEd.) in Curriculum and Instruction – General program from Northwest Missouri State University.
What Is the Focus of Maker Education?
Maker education focuses on the century-old concepts of “learning by doing” and experiential education — in other words, giving students the tools to try something out; apply what they learn to what they do; and acquire deeper, meaningful knowledge in the process.
“In maker-centered learning environments, students imagine, design, and create projects that align the content of learning with hands-on application,” notes the Maker Education Initiative. “Maker education isn’t about the stuff we can make, it’s about the connections, community and the meaning we can make, and who holds the power to decide what our futures hold.”
Educators who advocate for the implementation of maker education in classrooms focus their curricula on problem solving and applied learning. Projects could involve actually making something — physical or digital — involving a process that illustrates, explains and cements a learning outcome. Yet, the “making” concept focuses more on constructing knowledge than literally making an object. The purpose is approaching content learning through application. As the Maker Education Initiative puts it, “In maker-centered-learning environments, students imagine, design, and create projects that align the content of learning with hands-on application.”
An essential part of maker learning is accessibility. With today’s advances in assistive and adaptive technologies, digital EdTech and teaching practices like differentiated instruction, educators can overcome obstacles to true inclusivity that once plagued the maker movement.
Finding New Tech-Forward Ways to Experiment
Numerous technological advancements are making it possible for working adults — even children — to use professional tools to create. These can be anything from 3D printers, programming languages and apps to microcontrollers and robotics kits.
There are plenty of resources for personal fabrication, physical computing and computer programming such as the 3D designer app SketchUp, Arduino’s microcontrollers and the project Hour of Code, among others. These are all either free or very financially affordable, and many tech resources offer special programs to educators. These tools may also help educators integrate digital literacy development into student learning experiences.
What Subjects Are Maker Learning Practices Appropriate For?
Educators can teach nearly every subject with maker learning theories and practices. Practical, applied subjects — such as art, music, drama, woodshop, sewing and cooking — can be reintroduced or reprioritized as essential topics for developing creativity, problem solving, math skills and more.
Plus, with the popularization of hyper-academic curricula and STEM and STEAM in schools, the need for a space to experiment with a hands-on application grows. It’s even possible to open the way for students to create their own space at home. STEM subjects are also prime targets for deepening learning through a maker-centered approach. For instance, a teacher could help students learn and internalize math and physics concepts like trigonometry, algebra and calculus through the study of a baseball’s flight from pitcher to catcher. This means taking into account factors like speed, velocity, gravity, wind resistance and other variants.
Maker Learning is using what one has at their disposal — whether it be actual physical materials or knowledge. Teachers must encourage students to find solutions and fail while trying, as failure and adjustment are essential steps of the iterative learning curve. The U.S. education system focuses so much on perfection and rapid achievement that students may not respond well to failure. Maker Learning aims to redefine the fear of risk taking and encourage students to try again and fail better.
Learn more about Northwest’s online MSEd. in Curriculum and Instruction – General program.
