Kristin Fontichiaro's Blog About Learning, Teaching, Making Things, and Libraries
Building professional capacityTeacher-librarians are well positioned to impart data literacy to teens, but who’s giving instructors the resources and support that they need to do so?Kristin Fontichiaro, clinical associate professor at University of Michigan’s School of Information, and Jo Angela Oehrli, learning librarian at University of Michigan Library, were up for the task. As principal investigators of the two-year IMLS-funded project “Supporting Librarians in Adding Data Literacy Skills to Information Literacy Instruction,” they set out to design materials for high school librarians looking to foster data and statistical literacy skills in their students.
Makerspace Resources and Programming ideas
Create Collaborate Innovate Posts on Making Sign up for this MOOC offered by Exploratorium: Tinkering FundamentalsSign up for Google’s Maker Camp and Google Science Camp.Follow and read the blog over at Exploratorium’s Tinkering Studio or sign up for their tinkering course!Find cool stuff and Make it at your Library!Need ideas?
Makerspace Starter Kit
The hot new Makerspace Movement is NOT new to Murray Hill Middle School. Eighteen years ago we designed and opened the school with the idea that we would have creation labs in the Media Center, GT room, and the TV studio. We started with video production, iMovie, Specular LogoMotion, Hyperstudio, and animation with Hollyood High kids. Here's an example of an EARLY (2003) video production called Bookfellas, featuring some Guy Ritchie-esque film direction techniques. These kids are now all grown up and we've kept evolving, too!
The Maker Space Difference: Amazing Inquiry, Shared Learning
Students work with the new 3-D printer. “Is it true? Do we have a 3-D printer?” When I put our new 3-D printer in the window of the school library, not only were my own maker space students interested, but the rest of the school seemed to take note. Some of you have been curious about how this new maker space project is coming along, so here’s an update.
Maker & DIY Programs
Maker enthusiasts: anyone can edit this page. Please share your resources here! You may also be interested in our STEM Resources page and our Teen Programming Guidelines from YALSA (.pdf) Activities
Making Space for a No-Frills Maker Space
Volume 3, Issue 4, Number 4 Driving Question: No Frills Maker Spaces: What? How? Why? I have long been aware that students are often bored or frustrated with conventional classes taught from textbooks. Worse, they seldom understand the relationship between their subjects and real-world applications.
Landscape Photography Tips
By Robert Caputo, From Photography Field Guide: Landscapes and Ultimate Photography Field Guide: Landscapes We've all had the experience: Driving through a beautiful landscape, you stop at every scenic overlook to make photographs sure to capture the grandeur of what you see. You get home, look at the pictures, and find them flat and boring.
Launching a Makerspace: Lessons Learned From a Transformed School Library
Excitement about school makerspaces has been in the air, but many educators eager to create hands-on learning spaces in their schools still aren’t sure how to get started or why it’s worth the effort. New Canaan High School librarian Michelle Luhtala recently jumped headfirst into creating a makerspace in her library and documented what she learned, how her space changed and how it affected students along the way. Her experience was very different from elementary school librarian Andy Plemmons, whose makerspace started with a 3-D printer obtained through a grant and blossomed into a core teaching resource at his school. Luhtala is blessed with a big library, but for most of her career it has been dominated by large bookshelves. Over time, Luhtala has pared down her collection as she increased the digital reading material the library offers, but in order to make room for a makerspace she cleared out 7,000 books. A floor plan of shelving in Luhtala’s library in 2011.
Our Learning Commons and Mission
The MoHS Library Learning Commons operates on an open schedule that is accessible and welcoming to the entire school community. While teachers can reserve space using our Media Center Reservation System, walk-in visits are encouraged. Beverages, snacks and lunches are permitted. The Learning Commons areas described below are flexible and easily customized to accommodate teacher, student, and community needs.
Photographing Landscapes
Landscape photography is a favorite with professional and amateur photographers alike. There awaits a wealth of natural landscapes filled with beauty and drama, always changing with the seasons. To avoid taking bland images, follow these top landscape photography tips.
I Created A Little Makerspace To-Go.....It Even Includes A Makerspace Mobile Too!
On Monday and Tuesday of next week I have the honor of presenting to a variety of educators including administrators, teacher librarians, technology coordinators, and classroom teachers at the TIES Conference in Minneapolis. My presentations focus around makerspaces and the importance of the make movement and these spaces in education. By definition makerspaces are creative, DIY spaces where people can gather to create, invent, and learn. In libraries they often have 3D printers, software, electronics, craft and hardware supplies and tools, and more. I love seeing what my friends and others are doing with makerspaces. It was so much fun to create one in the library at Van Meter.
How to Start a Makerspace When You're Broke
Everyone’s Favorite Excuse I’ve had the honor and privilege of sharing with hundreds of librarians and educators about our makerspace. Unfortunately, I see many educators hold back on starting a makerspace because of funds. I’m always hearing excuses like:
The Role Making Can Play in Education and Future Work – Classroom Aid
“American kids should be building rockets and robots, not taking standardized tests.” — By Dale Dougherty Learning by Making In this post “Learning by Making” published on Slate Magazine site, Dale elaborated: “Learning by doing” was the distillation of the learning philosophy of John Dewey.
Baby Steps to creating a Makerspace in the Library
Makerspaces in Your Library When I entered Fields Elementary Library, it was traditional in every way. Slowly, I have worked to make it a learning space, one where I can share technology and create a community of shared learning. Gone are the days that the library is just a place to check in and check out books. Since McAllen ISD is a 1:1 district, I am thrilled to see the potential every student has in this space. When I interviewed a month ago for this library position, my principal asked what my vision was for the library.
