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Makerspaces 101

building blocks

Makerspaces 101

Students today face a future with new challenges and opportunities that are hard to predict and anticipate. As they look at future jobs, they find employers requiring a broader range of skills. To prepare today’s students, innovative educators have explored new teaching strategies. Among these we find teachers giving students the opportunity to explore problem-solving in new, creative ways with makerspaces.

What is a Makerspace?

Makerspaces are collaborative workspaces designed for hands-on creativity. In them, students create a digital or physical product that they share with their class, school, or even community. Makerspaces are dedicated to creating, learning, and exploring. They may include high-tech tools and equipment, like 3D printers, sewing machines, or robotics equipment. They might just use supplies as simple as cardboard, duct tape and art supplies. They provide a space for student-centered and student-directed learning and inquiry.

Why are makerspaces beneficial in education?

As students head into a drastically different workforce than what their parents and grandparents experienced, they need to know how to collaborate with others. Students also need deepened creativity and critical thinking skills to solve unique and constantly shifting challenges. Makerspaces are a prime opportunity to gain this experience by giving learners the opportunity to collaborate while they “explore, experiment and discover.” The opportunity to try, fail, and try again in a safe environment can help students develop persistence and a determination to stick with a challenge until they find a solution.

How to get started?

Getting started can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for ideas on how to set up a makerspace or how to provide equipment and supplies on a tight budget, there’s help. Here are some ideas we found:

  1. Learn from others. The internet and social media are full of guides and tips for getting started and making a makerspace work for you and your students. A little online research can provide a lot of information. You might also be able to visit and experience a makerspace in your area.
  2. Ask the community. Communities can help stock simple supplies like cardboard boxes, paper, popsicle sticks, office supplies, glass jars, etc. Give a wish list to businesses, parents, and post it on social media. Your community can provide experts with specific, technical skills who could assist with a project.
  3. Start small. You can find amazing makerspaces with incredible supplies and equipment, but a simple space can serve the same purpose. It’s even an option to start with one project to introduce the concept and build as you move forward.
  4. Establish expectations. Ask students to help construct guidelines and procedures before getting started so everyone is on the same page.
  5. Make connections. Incorporate maker projects into everyday lessons to “cement the association between real-world curiosity and experimentation to more structured and measured classroom instruction.”

Makerspaces are growing in popularity because they are helping students develop the 21st century skills that employers are looking for. Collaborative, problem-solving opportunities prepare learners for their futures and the challenges they will face when they leave school.

Have you given makerspaces a try? We’d love to hear your experience.

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5 Behavior Management Tips for the Classroom

Students working in a classroom

5 Behavior Management Tips for the Classroom

Students misbehaving can interrupt learning and frustrate teachers, yet it occurs daily. Teachers react to bad behavior in different ways, using different disciplinary actions, directing attention elsewhere, or even ignoring the behavior. Whatever the reaction, the question remains, “How can I manage misbehavior in my classroom?” You can find dozens of tips for effective classroom management, but we wanted to share five general strategies:

  • Assume the best: Assume students want to learn and participate. Assume they want to be there. Assume they want to learn good behavior and take advantage of opportunities to teach such behavior. “Assuming the best is an underlying orientation that enables us to treat both our students and ourselves with respect and dignity.” Eventually, student behavior begins to reflect positive assumptions from their teachers.
  • Teach students how to better manage themselves: When students become self-regulated learners, they are more likely to stay focused and less likely to provide distractions for other students. Taking time to teach skills like listening and focusing can help students become more disciplined and self-regulated.
  • Provide a safe, structured classroom: “A structured classroom often translates to a safe classroom, one where students can enjoy themselves and focus on learning.” Start on day one with clear rules and expectations. Set expectations high but keep goals attainable. Hold students accountable for their actions and be sure to hold yourself to the same standard.
  • Provide effective consequences: To increase the effectiveness of consequences, it may help to wait until emotions have settled, and you’ve had time to think of a creative consequence. Be sure to follow-up with the consequence, but do it privately and with empathy.
  • Offer all students equal opportunity to learn: If students aren’t able to hear what’s being taught, they can become disengaged and distracted. Installing Classroom Audio Systems and reducing environmental noise gives all students the opportunity to hear and learn. 

We’d like to hear from you. Have you tried any of these techniques? What’s a strategy you’ve found works well in your classroom?

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Spotlight School—South Lake Elementary

Spotlight School—South Lake Elementary

At Audio Enhancement, we value our relationships with educators. We also strive to develop solutions that can resolve challenges that schools face on a daily basis. That is why we’re thrilled to hear of success stories like South Lake Elementary School in Florida.

South Lake Elementary serves students in Brevard County Public Schools. After closing its doors in 2013, the school district recently renovated it. In August 2018, the school reopened as a choice school focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). Part of that renovation included installation of Audio Enhancement’s EPIC System™, an intercom, paging, and bells system, and Classroom Audio Systems.

Jennifer Brockwell, South Lake’s principal, has worked in education for 15 years. Her experience in education, especially as an administrator, has shown her some of the major difficulties educators face when managing their school’s communication systems. Changing bell schedules generally requires a work order or is a complicated process. Staff often resort to walking messages to classrooms when the paging system isn’t working properly. In emergency situations, communication can break down and precious time can be lost.  

EPIC System

In an attempt to minimize or eliminate these difficulties, Ms. Brockwell decided to order EPIC System. Her hopes included a user-friendly program that would give her control over bell schedules and the ability to make changes as needed. Her reaction after only four months of using EPIC System? “The system indeed far exceeded my expectations. It’s extremely user friendly and non-intimidating.” Teachers also appreciate the system, reporting, “I love how we can change the bells. The paging system sounds clear.”

An additional benefit she found is the ability to prerecord messages. Whether for assisting with the Pledge of Allegiance on a busy morning or covering a drill when Ms. Brockwell is unavailable, an audio file is ready to play. These recordings ensure the school can run smoothly, even in her absence.

EPIC System also includes the benefit of SAFE System™. Emergency situations require quick and effective communication, and with SAFE System, school adminstration can receive immediate notifications. As Ms. Brockwell explains, “When it comes to safety, minutes count.”

Classroom Audio

In addition to EPIC System, South Lake installed Classroom Audio Systems. Teachers shared that all the students can hear them, and they don’t have to speak as loudly. “I like that all of my students can hear me with no problem. They seem to pay attention more and respond well when I use the microphone. I really like it!” One teacher pointed out how it helped when calling for cleanup and getting students to hear during lineup when the noise level is higher.

Teachers also noticed that some students participate and speak up more when using the Mic360™ in conjunction with the classroom system. One teacher said, “It has benefited my students that have difficulty projecting their voice. I have a student that is more willing to participate in classroom discussions, utilizing the [Mic360], because she will not be asked to repeat herself or to speak up.”

Audio Enhancement wants to enhance education and ease the difficulties educators face, whether it’s with schoolwide communication or classroom audio systems.  We are grateful to partner with schools like South Lake Elementary in accomplishing that goal for their faculty, staff, and students.

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3 Ways to Nurture Student Leadership

Students collaborating

3 Ways to Nurture Student Leadership

Leadership skills are highly sought after by employers today, so it’s only fitting that they are taught to students from a young age. Many schools offer programs that teach leadership qualities, including student council, peer mentoring groups, safety patrol and student clubs. In addition, here are three small things teachers can do to nurture skills students need to become leaders.

Teach students to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.

High levels of self-efficacy, or belief in their ability to reach a goal, lead students to challenge themselves. Those students also have higher intrinsic motivation, a key characteristic in students who become adult leaders. We can accomplish this through inquiry-based activities, collaborative learning, and helping students appreciate how far they have come instead of comparing themselves to other students.

Teach students to work together and teach each other.

Communication skills are essential for good leaders, and working in groups helps students develop necessary communication and problem-solving skills. When students teach each other, it requires them to re-read and review material. It improves self-confidence and presentation skills, which are also qualities of a good leader. This can be facilitated through group work, projects, or presentations.

Teach students responsibility and give them more responsibilities over time.

Responsibility entails accountability, self-control, discipline, and trustworthiness. Students practice responsibility by doing their homework, studying for tests, and accepting the consequences when they don’t. When students receive bad grades or have discipline problems, recognize their achievements and help them realize they can do better. Giving out small classroom jobs and daily tasks can also increase their sense of responsibility.

Along with math, reading, and writing skills, students need to develop the qualities that are necessary for college and the work force. Teaching today’s children and adolescents to be leaders from a young age will, without a doubt, better prepare them for the future.

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STEM and STEAM: What’s the difference?

STEM and STEAM: What’s the difference?

The National Science Teachers Associates defines STEM education as an “interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise.” Many schools focus on it today as experts agree it helps prepare young people to become innovators, leaders, educators, and researchers, solving the challenges our world faces and will face in the future.

STEM vs. STEAM

Recently, a new letter has joined the STEM equation: “A” for the arts. Educational organizations define STEAM education as “science and technology, interpreted through engineering and the arts, all based in mathematical elements.” STEAM proponents propose that STEM alone misses key components necessary for students to be prepared for the future. By including the arts, students think creatively, solve problems, have better communication skills, and embrace collaboration.

Much debate has occurred in recent years over the concept of STEM versus STEAM. Some argue that the arts should be kept separate from math and science to not take focus away from them. Others state that STEAM does not take away from the sciences but rather completes it by filling in the gaps. They also claim it provides students with the necessary skills and tools to incorporate the arts into the core subjects. The arts are a piece of the puzzle that will help children succeed and learn the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. STEAM proponents agree that science, technology, engineering, and math need to be at the core of education. They then argue that, without the arts, students miss out on a well-rounded education and lack skills to become innovators.

A Perfect Example

A perfect example of how the arts and sciences intertwine and complement each other is early photographer Charles Negre. He painted for many years before he saw daguerreotypes, or early photographs. They astonished him. He began to study the science behind photography—the chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering of cameras and photographs.

“Where science ends, art begins… When the chemist has prepared the sheet, the artist directs the lens and the three torches of observation, feeling and reasoning guide the study of nature; photography invokes effects that make us dream, simple patterns excite us, powerful and bold silhouettes that surprise and frighten us… We are now convinced that it is less difficult to reproduce than it is to learn to see nature… Before, the challenge was to replicate nature; today it is to choose from within nature.”

STEM, widely accepted and integrated in schools across the nation, helps students every day to prepare for the future. As STEAM grows in popularity, students are now learning about these core subjects in a way that will help them communicate, adapt, solve problems, and compete in the global market.

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The “Why?” Behind Professional Learning Communities

Professional Learning Community

The “Why?” Behind Professional Learning Communities

“The three words explain the concept: Professionals coming together in a group—a community—to learn.” -Shirley Hord

A professional learning community, or PLC, is a term describing any group of educators that meets regularly to improve their teaching skills and their students’ academic achievement. Continue reading “The “Why?” Behind Professional Learning Communities”

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Making Flexible Seating Possible

student working in flexible seating classroom

Making Flexible Seating Possible

Flexible seating in classrooms has been growing in popularity. Many teachers have tried it out and recognize its benefits in students’ attendance, grades, and even behavior. Flexible seating lets students choose their learning space, providing a variety of seating options in the same classroom. It allows students to be more comfortable, and use up excess energy. It can even provide better oxygen flow to the brain. Continue reading “Making Flexible Seating Possible”

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Product Spotlight: Hands-Free Classroom Intercom

Product Spotlight: Hands-Free Classroom Intercom

As school administrators know, a lot of work goes into making a school run smoothly. Hundreds, even thousands, of students arrive at 7 a.m. and assemble into different classrooms. Directed by bells, students go from class to class. Every day, school staff manage late arrivals, early pick-ups, and unplanned excitement. For this and many other reasons, front office personnel need to communicate with specific teachers. Continue reading “Product Spotlight: Hands-Free Classroom Intercom”

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People Over Products—A 40-Year Passion

People Over Products—A 40-Year Passion

From the start of Audio Enhancement, the focus has been on people, not products. Claudia Anderson founded the company as a result of her focus on helping her two hard-of-hearing sons succeed in school. She pioneered the concept of sound amplification in the classroom which enhanced learning for students in schools across the country. Today, her son and the company’s CEO, Jeff Anderson, continues to run the company centered on people and how Audio Enhancement can help them. Continue reading “People Over Products—A 40-Year Passion”

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