Maker Education (unknown)
Maker education stands outside of the traditional, dominant education landscape. Administrators treat maker classes as less important than the big core classes. The public seemingly agrees. When a makerspace is discontinued in a middle school, it doesn’t make the news. If an administrator ever canceled a math class – it would be national news.
Let’s look at why maker education is not a priority.
- Few teachers had it as a part of their own schooling.
- There aren’t any certifications for a maker teacher.
- STEM classes can be a ‘fun’ way to raise test scores.
- State legislators have not mandated maker education.
- Colleges do not look for maker education on transcripts
- Standardized testing has narrowed the focus of our administrators.
- You cannot test or explain all the learning that happens in a maker classroom.
- Making stuff cost more than lectures and note-taking.
- Everyone thinks that you need expensive machines
- No one has vividly demonstrated all the benefits that come with in-depth maker education
That last point is the biggest problem. That is what I am aiming for.
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