Life Lessons Through Tinkering
Video originally found here.
To the left is a TED talk by Gever Tulley, who runs a school driven by the principle of learning through play. His tinkering academy allows students to think, build, and have fun in order to teach students through trial and error and embrace mistakes. Through these mistakes, students learn how to build amazing things, as well as learning how to give themselves the time and space to overcome tasks which seemed impossible.
Constructivism v. Constructionism
In talking about creativity and play, the discussion of constructivism vs Seymour Papert's constructionism, reveals that the stigma that learning can only happen alone. Constructionism is the viewpoint that "learning [is a] form of reconstruction [instead of the] transmission of knowledge." Visit this PDF to learn more about the difference between these two, and to find definitions of the parts of constructionism that allow it to function properly in your classroom!
Computational Thinking
This method of thinking can apply to the discussion of human thought processes as well as the way technology process through it's system. In terms of our students, computational thinking focuses on how students can be encouraged to solve problems and design creative systems and solutions. In broader terms, computational thinking encourages abstract thinking and perseverance. Click here to learn more about how this method allows students to think outside the box of the classroom and can lead them to think about bigger, more intricate ideas.
Tinkering
As discussed in the passage linked above, tinkering is one of the pillars of learning through creativity and play. Tinker itself revolves around 4 pillars of engagement, social scaffolding, initiative and intentionality, and development of understanding. Just as integrating technology, the integration of tinkering allows for a greater understanding when used appropriately. Click here to find out more about how to effectively apply tinkering in the classroom.