Is "Experiencing" the same as "Learning"?

Discussion question for Thinkering Studio students: Is experiencing the same as learning? If yes, are there subtle differences to the connotations of the words? If no, what distinguishes one from the other?


LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

What counts as Making? Who is a Maker?

I'm a big fan of the Maker movement. I wonder if the message sometimes trends too far to the engineering or technology side of things. When thinking about a Maker space for school I want to be inclusive of as many types of makers as is feasible. Engineering, technology, and occasionally some forms of crafting seem to get the most attention, but what about these?

Is a baker/cook/chef a maker?

Is a graphic artist a maker?

Is a writer a maker?

Is a computer game designer/programmer a maker?

Is a seamstress/seamster/tailor/fashion designer a maker?

Are all artists makers?

Including musical artists/songwriters?

And performance artists?

Even athletes?

Who else is a maker?

Is our space conducive to all?

Do we have the right tools and materials to encourage all kinds of making?

Is it because Making is so often linked to STEM that engineering and technology get the spotlight?

Does changing STEM to STEAM make enough of a difference?

Triple Package & Creating Innovators

Wonder what the overlap is with these two explanations?

The Triple Package: Why Groups Rise and Fall in America

Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World

Growing the Culture of a Learning Community

We’ve been doing a lot of talking about Professional Learning Communities, and the intentional efforts of some to create communities of purposeful learning.  The activity linked here is one we recently crafted for a team of teachers who have been given one day each month to explore, test-drive and share elements of practice, as they relate to shifts toward student-owned and global learning.

Given this gift of time and opportunity, I wonder…

• What might they need to consider as they learn toward their goal of student-owned learning and global connectivity?
• What professional & pedagogical process changes will be most important to consider?
• What do they need, or need to avoid, to make the most of this opportunity?
• How can we best support their efforts to create a culture of professional learning?

originally posted at Learning OutLoud by Sara Wilkie