Bendables Introduction
Given the explosion of the maker movement and how accessible technology has become, (for example 3D printing) there is an opportunity to explore new learning opportunities for children. Unlike the current workforce as adults, our children will be creating their own job descriptions and will be applying their skill sets in cross-disciplinary ways which we may now may find difficult to imagine. A contemporary example of this is bio hacking a social movement in which individuals and organizations pursue biology and life science with tools equivalent to those of professional labs. Technology is becoming more embedded in society and every day objects. As a result, the notion of technology as being discipline specific is dissipating. Innovation is is situated at the confluence between culture and technology. Its important therefore that children from a young age and from various social, economic backgrounds are provided opportunities to explore from a conceptual and abstract level how to relate to a society in which technology is becoming a seamless part of the everyday.
This research proposal " Best Practices for Facilitating Maker Inspired Learning Via Tangible Manipulatives" would facilitate researching and developing a creative toolkit for open- ended S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) play for 3-5 yr olds. Inspired by Montessori and experiential learning, Bendables connect, light up, buzz, and create sound for the youngest of tinker makers and promotes early learning with regards to circuits, numeracy, and cause and effect through tactile play. This project is in very early stages of development. As lead researcher I am currently open to opportunities to further develop this new research trajectory perhaps as Post Doc or other research contexts.
Phase 1: Literature Review and Best Practices
Bendables empower children to create with technology and can be used at home and in preschools and early learning centers. " Don’t buy toys build them!"
“We know that our children are going to grow up in a world surrounded by computers, Shapiro says. What I want is for my kids is to be able to speak the language.”
Maker education research is a field of major importance to the future of education and the role technology plays in education. This research is partly inspired by the work of Kylie Peppler who is the director of the Creativity Lab at Indiana University. An artist by training, Dr. Peppler is an Associate Professor of Learning Sciences and engages in research that focuses on the intersection of arts, computational technologies and interest-driven learning. In addition to serving as the Director of the Creativity Labs at Indiana University, Dr. Peppler is the lead of the MacArthur Foundation’s Make-to-Learn initiative, advisor to the Connected Learning Research Network, and a member of the 2015 National Educational Technology Plan Committee sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. I am also interested in the work of AnneMarie Thompson at the the Playful Learning Lab. She leads a team of students looking at toy design curricula, as well as exploring ways to encourage children, of all ages, to embrace playful learning. I feel Peppler and Thompson's work in this area has been revolutionizing the way children learn.
“STEM toys are projected to generate $26 billion in
sales globally in 2015.”
Euro monitor 2015
Future Work
I would be interested in opportunities related to research fellowship or as a Post Doc opportunity.