Know Your Why
Mindset
Maker is a dynamic learning environment that fosters opportunities for students to design, create and express their learning in unique and creative ways. Maker activities are connected to content standards and grounded in the 4Cs. Teaching students how to communicate, collaborate, think critically and be creative is vital to the success of all maker projects. Maker thrives on the unique and celebrates differences among participants and projects.
Teaching the 4Cs
Maker lessons foster the 4C's and the WCPSS strategic plan includes a vision, a mission and core beliefs about student learning consistent with incorporating the 4Cs of learning. Communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity are a building block for Strategic Priority #1: Student Knowledge and Skills. Included in the core beliefs are the following statements:
Designing lessons that incorporate the 4 Cs of learning is the key to student participation, engagement, and success in school environments and beyond. Opportunities for communication and collaboration help students learn to effectively convey ideas and compromise. This fosters confidence, self esteem and an appreciation for diverse perspectives. Creativity motivates and brings joy to learning, teaches students to embrace their inner strengths, and encourages learners to think differently and in ways that are unique to them. Critical thinking empowers students to solve problems, question, and seek the truth. Often the 4 Cs overlap and intertwine, fostering lifelong learning skills and deeper understanding of the curriculum.
The North Carolina Digital Learning Standards (NCDLS) are designed to empower students and ensure that learning is student-centered and equitable. Creating lessons that focus on the 4Cs, incorporate student agency, and allow students to use maker materials and digital tools that support their inquiry and deeper learning will seamlessly integrate these standards into your content area curricula. The NCDLS standards are adopted from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).