Online Makerspace Learning for Pandemic Times
A makerspace is a place where people can get together and collaborate to learn by doing. They learn by making. They learn by experimentation and hands-on creating.
If you are like me, in this time of coronavirus shutdown, you might be missing ACC’s Library Services Batlab Makerspace opportunities.
Until Makerspace activities at campuses and circulating library kits, such as our Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits are once again available in the post shutdown world, it is a great time to start taking advantage of some online makerspace opportunities and learning about what is possible. We have many online resources available in digital format, such as e-books and articles in resources such as the Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center database, which “offers ‘how-to’ instructions for virtually every hobby enthusiast with full text for more than 1,500 leading hobby books and craft magazines that cover Arts & Crafts, Collecting, Home & Garden, Indoor Recreation, Kids' Crafts, Model Building, Needlecrafts & Textiles, and more.”
Photo by Xiaole Tao on Unsplash
Another great new resource that ACC students, staff, and faculty have access to through the library is O'Reilly for Higher Education. This database contains digital books, streaming videos, lessons, and playlists to teach all sorts of topics, including a great collection of materials to support Makerspace education. Try searching for specific terms like raspberry pi, arduino, 3d printing, laser cutting, Python, C++, or search for the general term makerspace to learn about all sorts of different things that can be done in the Maker world. Maybe you will find something to get excited about! Below are a handful of titles that might pique your interest, but don’t stop here. Search through O’Reilly for Higher Education and see what else you can find!
Then, why not try some virtual experiments! Tinkercad.com is a web site that allows you to create a free account, and then create digital models of 3D objects. There are tutorials that can help you get started. One very exciting additional thing Tinkercad can do is model Arduino projects. It allows you to simulate setting up a physical arduino circuit, write the code, and then will simulate whether and how it works!
Selected Makerspace titles from O’Reilly for Higher Education
Graves, C., & Graves, A. (2017). The big book of makerspace projects: Inspiring makers to experiment, create, and learn. New York: McGraw Hill Education.
Horvath, J. C., & Cameron, R. (2015). The new shop class: Getting started with 3D printing, Arduino, and wearable tech. Berkeley, CA: Apress.
Tricart, C. (2018). Virtual reality filmmaking: Techniques & best practices for VR filmmakers. New York: Routledge.
Frauenfelder, M., & Bates, R. (2019). Raspberry Pi retro gaming: Build consoles and arcade cabinets to play your favorite classic games. Apress.
Horvath, J. C., Hoge, L., & Cameron, R. (2016). Practical fashion tech: Wearable technologies for costuming, cosplay, and everyday. Berkeley, CA: Apress.
Westerfield, M. (2018). Make: High-power rockets. Sebastopol, CA: Maker Media.
