Creating a Making and PBL Classroom

The internet and the ubiquitousness of technology and information have transformed the needs of education. It is less important to memorize through “drill-and-kill” and facts-based assessments and more important to equip students will the ability to critically think and creatively design.

The advent of “just Google it” shows no sign of stopping, but what students do with that information is most important. To that end, I began transitioning my classes from an emphasis on multiple-choice tests to creative projects in an inquiry and problem-based learning environment. Indeed, creating and design is the cornerstone of what I have taken from my time in the classroom and the MAET program.

As an example of my shift in teaching, the images and video below show a lesson on creating Interactive LED trade route maps. Students researched either the Indian Ocean, Silk Road, or Saharan Trade Routes, created their own maps, and used conductive copper tape LED lights to “light up” trade port cities.