Get Students CREATING with Global Maker Challenges! – SULS0128

In this episode, Kasey interviews Jaime Donally, one of the Global Maker Day organizers about the power of creating and sharing on a global level. Learn about the creation challenges and how your classroom can participate. The 4 C’s are more important than ever so you don’t want to miss this free opportunity to help students learn how to problem-solve and innovate!

Jamie and seven of her colleagues began organizing the Global Maker Day in 2016. As a day built for inspiring educators to help innovate, the day has evolved and updated in the last five years. 

Listen to article.

 

What is Global Maker Day? 

To be clear, the day does not require teachers to have or assemble a Maker Space. “We are all makers!” Jamie and her team want to be sure that educators don’t feel a need to purchase fancy equipment or a laundry list of materials. The day is meant to be a source of inspiration, collaboration, and sharing. 

Classrooms can tune in live (or recorded) to watch each of the 30-minute presentations on October 12 from 9 AM-5 PM EST. There are several types of presentations, but each one is meant to inspire students to create for themselves. 

Presenters in the past have included classrooms as they work on their own projects, teachers who share a specific idea, industries like Stanley Black & Decker, and many others. Each of the presentations will provide an open-ended challenge for students to try on their own. 

Why Watch? 

The goal of each presentation is to inspire students to create and then share their creations. Whether teachers choose to watch every presentation or a few, students will need their critical thinking skills to complete any of the challenges. Jamie explains that these challenges are purposefully open-ended so that students will evaluate their limitations and critically think through finding a way to make them happen. This is also why classrooms do not need any fancy technology or materials to complete challenges. 

In the past, some teachers have used the day to present their own challenges to their students rather than asking them to complete the presented challenges. The heart behind this chosen day is to inspire students to create. 

What to Expect? 

Variety. Each presentation will be different because making is all about creativity. Jamie shares a past presentation by Joy Schwartz, whose students developed a passion project to 3D print prosthetic limbs for children in need. While this is a major undertaking, Joy’s students drove this project based on their learning in class and they wanted to inspire others to use their talents to help. 

Inspiring creativity may be the heart behind Global Maker Day, but sharing those creations is what keeps this day alive. So much of the learning process in life is about learning from others. Allowing someone else’s creativity to spark new creative ideas for others. 

The range of challenges can be as simple as cooking recipes or as advanced as digitally created AR/VR projects. However, it’s never necessary for students to have the same equipment or materials to complete any challenge. Students can think through what is available to them to overcome the challenge presented. Jamie suggests teachers pull out any materials in the classroom you have on hand and bring your junk drawers that day. 

There is still a need for more presenters at this time, so if you are hearing about this for the first time and have something to contribute be sure to connect with the team. 

How to Share? 

With today’s technology, there are a gazillion different ways for students to share their creations. To honor student safety over the Internet it’s important that teachers do the sharing. Sharing may be as simple as a shared drive for the class or teachers can share across social media outlets using the hashtag #GlobalMakerDay. 

However, students are putting their creations out into the world it’s important for them to recognize their work is for an authentic audience. This means it’s just as important to view the different creations. Taking the time to have students see other finished challenge products extends those critical thinking skills. 

How to Get Involved

If you would like to participate or even learn more visit the Global Maker Day website. There, teachers can register for the day as a participant. This is a free opportunity and it’s important to register so all updates and important information are emailed to you. The first email will be a welcome letter with frequently asked questions answered. The website is also a great place to view past presentations. 

Mark your calendars, and join Global Maker Day on October 12, 2021!

Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into Instructional Technology. Her desire to build relationships has brought about opportunities to collaborate with students and educators around the world. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant.

​Her latest adventures include the launch of Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community, events, and presentations. She works as an author and speaker to provide the practical use of augmented and virtual reality in the classroom.

About Jaime Donally

Twitter: @jaimedonally + @GlobalMaker

Websites: ARVRinEDU.com + GlobalMakerDay.com

Bio: Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into Instructional Technology. Her desire to build relationships has brought about opportunities to collaborate with students and educators around the world. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant.

​Her latest adventures include the launch of Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community, events, and presentations. She works as an author and speaker to provide the practical use of augmented and virtual reality in the classroom. 

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