This week the students worked on their Project Workbook, a somewhat more detailed version of their original project brainstorm. For this workbook, I needed students to give a specific materials list so that we knew who was responsible for providing which items. Doing this exercise also allowed them to reflect on the reality of completing their project, so some students switched directions and took on a more manageable project.
One of the skills that will be necessary to master for some students' projects is soldering. Using Maker Shed's Learn to Solder Badge, a few students had their first experience with soldering. It's a fairly easy project, designed to get someone from square one to completing a project in about 20 minutes. In reality, it was much more difficult than I anticipated. If you've read through this course blog, you know that I've been doing quite a bit of soldering lately, so I am very comfortable with it. For these students, it was the first time they had ever held a soldering iron, or worn safety goggles!
For the most part, it was a success, after a few attempts. After all, it's about iteration, fail quick...fail often, and I know we will all grow from the experience.
Two other students started work on their robot project, while still others continued to research parts and flush out their project workbook.
This is the most difficult stage, I believe, in project development...getting started. Once they get going, things will hopefully start to flow. I have decided to offer office hours, or "consultant time" whereby students can drop in during lunch or recess to seek help, work on a project, or just have access to Creator's Studio. There simply isn't enough time in the class period to get everything done, or support all students effectively.
One of the skills that will be necessary to master for some students' projects is soldering. Using Maker Shed's Learn to Solder Badge, a few students had their first experience with soldering. It's a fairly easy project, designed to get someone from square one to completing a project in about 20 minutes. In reality, it was much more difficult than I anticipated. If you've read through this course blog, you know that I've been doing quite a bit of soldering lately, so I am very comfortable with it. For these students, it was the first time they had ever held a soldering iron, or worn safety goggles!
For the most part, it was a success, after a few attempts. After all, it's about iteration, fail quick...fail often, and I know we will all grow from the experience.
Two other students started work on their robot project, while still others continued to research parts and flush out their project workbook.
This is the most difficult stage, I believe, in project development...getting started. Once they get going, things will hopefully start to flow. I have decided to offer office hours, or "consultant time" whereby students can drop in during lunch or recess to seek help, work on a project, or just have access to Creator's Studio. There simply isn't enough time in the class period to get everything done, or support all students effectively.
