Makerspace - an environment for education

Reflection on Blogging

It has been a while that I started to blog and share my experience with Makerspace resources and educational technologies. It is time to reflect on the importance of blogging in my personal and professional development and how productive I found it in the IDE 611 class.

First, blogging opened up for me a new way of sharing my thoughts and experience for the wider audience. The topic that I selected, despite its importance, is not that popular on the internet. More blogs and video tutorials are needed to spread the word of Makerspace out and reach the target audience. IDE 611 class gave me this wonderful opportunity, to learn and practice blogging and talk about the topic that I have a huge interest in.

Also, it is a great feeling when you know people reading your thoughts. Every day receiving comments and ideas by your course-mates increases your motivation to make more research and write posts. It is also good to mention that reading other posts are very informative and contributes to your knowledge.

Moreover, blogging is innovative. With this dramatic technological change, the form of education is also moving to new levels. Today's youth no longer go to the library to find information about a certain fact or topic. They just google it. Most of the cases the read answer in different posts and blogs. Therefore, this blogging experience had prepared me to continue in the future and write about different topics.

to sum up, I would like to thanks IDE 611 class professor Dr. Jing Lie and her teaching assistant Tianxiao Yang for providing great resources and constant support. I found blogging a very productive and important activity and enjoyed this class.

Lutfullo!

What is LittleBits?

In my last post, I talked about Lego blocks and the rise of electronic Lego models or Lego Mindstorms. This post is dedicated to another form of electronic blocks which is called LittleBits. So, what are LittleBits? How do they work? What is the use of these electronics? These and many more answers you will get from this post.

LittleBits are electronic modules (or blocks) that each has a pre-engineered function such as light, sound, sensor, etc. Every module is color- coded and snaps to another module via magnet. LittleBits as a startup founded in 2011 in New York by Ayah Bdier and its mission is to "put the power of electronics in the hand of everyone, and to break down the complex technologies so that anyone can build, prototype, and invent". To visualize the concept of LittleBits, take a look at this short video.

In this video, you can see that the Bits (or electronic modules) work in a very simple way. Magnetic snapping, four different colors, and each having a concrete function. That is all. The rest is us and our creativity to turn ideas into inventions.

Today, according to LittleBits.com there are more than 250+ integrated lesson plans aligned to state and national standards. the use of LittleBits plans and products in an educational institution are growing very fast and the reason behind this is the practical explanation of theories that kids study at schools. You can demonstrate the flow of electrical current, fly of rockets to the sky, and many more theoretical lessons through safe and interactive modules. If you are a teacher and want to use more of LittleBits ideas and lesson plans you can read more following this link: LittleBits in Classroom.

Here are some products by LittleBits:

1. August 2013 - the release of Base, Premium, and Deluxe Kits.

2. July 2014 - the introduction of CloudBit, a wifi-enabled module that allows internet connectivity.

3. November 2015 - the release of Smart Home Kit, helps to tern equipment in the home to interact with you. My favorite one!

Here is a project that you can do with Smart Home Kit:

Why coding is important in earlier ages?

When I organized coding activities for kids at the Makerspace Dushanbe, mostly I received this question from parents. My kid is not going to be a programmer, so why should he or she take part in this club? So, this post will respond to this question and gives you three reasons why every young mind should be involved in coding activities.

First, learning to code doesn't mean that the kid is going to be a programmer in the future. Instead, considering the fast progress of technology, this is an additional skill that helps the kid to grow much more professional. So, let's look at some reasons separately.

1. Coding is a language.
To code means to talk to peace of hardware in the language of technology. However, technology requires us to be very specific, goal-oriented, and creative. Otherwise, we will not understand each others' language. If it is required for us to be specific, goal-oriented, and creative to talk to technology, we learn them through coding. In other words, coding develops these skills in kids and helps them to grow smart. The mentioned skills are used in all spheres of life, which means coding will help them to be a good specialist in every job.

2. Coding helps kids with Math skills.
You would probably agree with me that many kids find math skills very challenging. Coding improves the logical thinking of kids. Coding consists of basic math problems, which makes kids solve and get the results. In other words, kids learn math in fun ways.

3. Coding improves the problem - solving skills of kids.
To code, kids have to write step by step, or algorithm, of their program. Each step plays an important role to get the program work. If the steps organized correctly, the program runs effectively. In the real world, to solve a problem we need to take the right to steps toward that, which is very similar to coding.

For more readings:

What is Lego Robotics?

In the last blog, I posted about 3D Printing and Designing as an essential tool for many Makerspaces. Of course, educational technology is advancing dramatically and Makerpsaces often are the first places where we can meet these technologies. In this blog, I will write about the rise of Lego Robotics and its contribution to the earlier childhood education. Let's begin with defining each terms separately.

LEGO is a favorite word for many kids as it is highly associated with entertainment and games. However, LEGO serves more than just tools for gaming and having fun. It improves the critical and constructive thinking of kids and helps them to grow smart. The world "Lego" is an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg godt", which means "play well" (Lego Group). The Lego Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen and today is considered one of the largest Toy Company by revenue.

So, what is Robotics or Robot?
A robot is: "a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer" (Horwitz, 2014). Robots basically consists of two main parts or in other words, systems: hardware, a physical part (case, schema, chips, etc. ) and software, a computer program that specifically was made to control the robot. And the process of making a robot is called robotics. Based on the level complexity of robot, we need to have curtain constructing and coding skills to build a robot. In 1998, a Lego Group released its first Lego Mindstorms, in other words, started producing Lego Robotics, which means that kids were able to bring their construction into life. Today, many educational institutions, libraries and Makerspaces actively use Lego Robotics to help kids grow creative and innovative. Here is a short video about Lego Robotics:

For more readings:

3D Printer and Makerspace

Nowadays, people who know a little about Makerspace mostly associate it with 3D modeling and printing environment. Of course, Makerspace is more than 3D technologies, but indeed, it plays a big role in running an effective Makerspace. Therefore, I have decided to write a particular post about 3D Modeling and Printing.

History of 3D Printing

We may think that 3D Printing is a new trend in a world of technologies. However, according to Leo G. (2018), the idea of "rapid prototyping devices" or in other words, the history of 3D printing begins back in 1981, when Dr. Hideo Kodama patented this idea for the first time. Unfortunately, he did not realize his idea and it was further developed by trio Jean-Cluade Andre, Olivier de Witte, and Alain le Mehaunte. They also succeed on patenting their ideas, but the in application process failed because of poor funding.

The first invented 3D printer, which was called "Stereolithography" was in 1988 by Charles Hull.

The SLA-1. Source: sculpteo

General principles of 3D printing

In order to print an object with the 3D printer we need to have a 3d model of that object. Let's say that you want to print a paper in a usual printer. For this you create a file (.doc, .pdf, or any other formats that the printer supports) and send it to the printer for print. The mechanism of 3D printing is pretty similar with ordinary printers.

First, you create a file that 3D printer supports. According to fictiv.com there are three types of formats for 3D printing:

IGES or IGS (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification)

STL (Stereolithography or Standard Tessellation Language)

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data)

To create this 3D printing format files, you use the Computer-aided Design (CAD) programs. Here are some example of CADs:

Then you make sure that your 3D printer is ready for print. Here is a tutorial that guides you step by step to print 3D models:

For more readings:

What programs can be run in the Makerspace?

As I mentioned in my previous post, Makerspace is a physical space that welcomes everyone to collaborate and create ideas using high-tech to low-tech technologies. Basically, any program that has a "make" idea can be considered the Makerspace program. In this post, I will give you an idea about some of these programs, as well as the statistics that revealed the importance of Maker Movement.

Makerspace is mostly associated with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) space and its programs are aimed to improve and give a practical understanding of STEAM subjects. However, Makerspace is highly considered as a collaborative space where visitors can think, create and share their ideas. For example, DIY (Do It Yourself) activity gives students to bring their ideas into live using different tools, such as glues, papers, electronics, or any other staffs. The role of the Makerspace manager during the activities is facilitating the process rather than training. Here are some examples of programs run in the Makerspace:

1. Robotics

According to Makerspace for Education robots can do three things: sense, act, and think. Robotics program in Makerspace allow students to make electronic robots that perform any simple action. For instance, Lego robots is widely used Kits that contains all features of robot as well as coding software. Students need to first, construct and than program the robot so it could perform any action.

2. Littlebits activities:

LittleBits is a hands-on learning system of electronic building

vlocks that allows students of all ages to create with technology. (https://littlebits.com)

3. Makey Makey

The Makey Makey

is also an electronic invention kit for all

ages! The Makey Makey allows you to take everyday objects and combine them with the internet. (Makerspaceforeducation.com)

4. Tinkercad - 3D printing

Tinkercad is an online software which allows student to design 3D objects and print them. Makerspaces are well-known with 3D printers. However, to design and print in 3D format it requires skills and understanding. Therefore, 3D designing and printing is very popular maker program.

There are more programs that are very well practiced in the Makerspace, and many of them don't require high-tech tools. For example,

Hour of Coding
Crafting
Recycling activities
Blogging
Maker Labs, etc

For more readings:

What is a Makerspace?

Makerspace is a high-tech to low-tech platform for anyone, no mater of the field of study and work, to collaborate and learn by making. In other words, Makerspace is an environment for hands-on learning and developing critical thinking. Makerspace can be built inside the libraries, schools and universities, public places and in general in any physical place. Makerspace has had an alternative names: FabLab, TechShop, and even HacherSpace from time to time. [source]

A typical Makerspace has 3D printers, laser cutters and other electronic kits such as L ittleBits and Arduino. However, it is not necessary to have these high-tech technologies to build a Makerspace. As far as the space is about making to learn, collaborate and share, it is called a Mekrspace. For example, papers, glues and other stationaries, which is provided to make things are considered tools for Makerspace.

Useful websites to read more:

IGES or IGS (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) STL (Stereolithography or Standard Tessellation Language) STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data)

IGES or IGS (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification)

STL (Stereolithography or Standard Tessellation Language)

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data)