Maker Experiment #1

So I splurged and purchased the littleBits Starter Kit (my chosen Maker's kit for CEP 811) for($89)  my classroom.  Yeah...a little expensive for a single mother with the salary of a third-year teacher, but sometimes there are things worth the money.  And I am happy to say this is definitely one of them!

The Latest Graduate Class Assignment:

This week I was assigned to play around with my Maker's kit some more. And I did...when I could wrestle it away from my five-year-old.  (I must say, he was incredibly amazed and proud of himself when he was able to put the littleBits together and create a circuit/machine.  He loves the vibrating output bit.)  Anyway, I was assigned to 'tinker and imagine' with my Maker's kit and how I could use it with a classroom activity and connect it to learning theories. 

The Learning Theory:

In the late 1890s, Maria Montessori began to formulate what is now known as the Montessori Method in Italy.  Her philosophy and methods were based on her observations of children within their learning environments and the materials and lessons used.  The founding principles and concepts of Montessori theory can be applied across all ages. These principles are: Independence, Observation, Following the Child, Correcting the Child, Prepared Environment and Absorbent Mind. Maria Montessori held with these goals and beliefs in regards to the education of children.

“Montessori education is fundamentally a model of human development, and an educational approach based on that model. The model has two basic elements. First, children and developing adults engage in psychological self-construction by means of interaction with their environments. Second, children, especially under the age of six, have an innate path of psychological development. Based on her observations, Montessori believed that children at liberty to choose and act freely within an environment prepared according to her model would act spontaneously for optimal development.”  (Wikipedia)

Here is a video that briefly outlines Montessori principles.

Eissler, T., (2011, Jan 28). Montessori Madnesss.[Video File]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GcgN0lEh5IA

The Montessori education and learning theory fits in well with the discovery approach I envision when using the littleBits kit in my classroom.  My students love to explore and have the ownership of discovery placed in their hands…why not give it to them?  Let them create and problem solve their way through the Maker’s kit while documenting their successes and failures?

The Maker’s Kit Activity:

Since the Montessori Method primary focuses on the learner’s choice and mastery of the task, I thought that this exploration activity would be a unique way to incorporate my littleBits Starter kit into my classroom.

•  I will introduce the littleBits kit to the classroom and give a very brief explanation of the learning outcome of this activity: Students will be able to explore, create and demonstrate at least one working machine/circuit. 

• Students sign up for time with the littleBits kit.  They will be given 15 minute appointments when they can explore and play with the kit components while taking notes and sketches of their findings.  Students will not be limited in the number of appointments they can sign up for. 

• Once students feel they have mastered at least one creation with notes and sketches, they will then write a post on the classroom Wikispace that summarizes their explorations and includes at least one picture of their creation. 

This activity follows the constructivist approach seen in the Montessori Method as students will build their knowledge of circuits and machines through their explorations of the littleBits kit.  Students have the choice of when and how often they can explore the kit.  The formative assessment of the blog post is done only when the student feels they have a mastery of the activity. 

References:
Hubbell, E. R., (2006). Authenticity & Technology in Montessori Education. Montessori Life, 18 (2), 16-20. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/ehost/detail?sid=3d1798a4-3d2f-4671-bca9-e9e604a8fc49%40sessionmgr111&vid=1&hid=118&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#db=eft&AN=507860724

Hubbell, E. R., (2003). Integrating Technology into the Montessori Elementary Classroom. Montessori Life, 15(3), 40-41.  Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/ehost/detail?sid=e6de2230-0b52-4252-b6f7-04296fc1b550%40sessionmgr104&vid=1&hid=118&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#db=eft&AN=507824176

Montessori education. (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montessori_education