caterpillar conference talk
TAPPING INTO YOUR CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE TO MAKE FOR THE FUTURE
LEARNING BY MAKING
DESIGNING FOR PHYSICAL TECHNOLOGY
▸ Physical computing systems are increasingly being used to make our cars safer and our appliances more convenient to use. Toy manufacturers are using them to make ever more sophisticated interactive toys such as remote control helicopters. Sensor networks are used in parking garages to determine and show which spots are available. Artists are also using them to create physical environments that patrons can interact with. Individuals interested in physical technology have created DIY and DIWO (Do-It With Others) communities and a “maker culture” supported by media outlets such as Make magazine.
THE WORKFORCE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING DRAMATICALLY
THREE BIG CHANGES ▸ Shift from problem solving to “problem making” ▸ Recognition that tinkering and Making have great value as constructionist learning methods ▸ Incorporating computational thinking into our daily lives helps us create for our job.
1.
PROBLEM MAKING
2.
TINKERING AND MAKING HAVE WORTH
IN TINKERING PLATFORMS, BOGOST AND JENKINS SAY THAT “MAKING “ISOLATES ITSELF FROM THE BROADER APPLICATION DOMAINS FROM WHICH IT DRAWS INSPIRATION.” THEY GO ON TO CONCLUDE THAT GRADUATING TO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE “MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE VERY CONCEPT OF ‘MAKER CULTURE.’”
Bogost and Jenkins, Georgia Tech
LEARNING BY MAKING
EMBODIED LEARNING ▸ Engineering ▸ Design ▸ Education ▸ Art
3.
INCORPORATING CONSTRUCTIONISM
CREATING REAL THINGS
SHIFTING FROM DIGITAL TO PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS ▸ Students and employees are capable of creating digital representations, but not physical ones ▸ In order to truly understand our work, we need to create for it
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?
MAKING PROFESSIONALLY
TIME TO BECOME A MAKER
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? ▸ The maker economy will require a new set of tools ▸ A return to making with our hands ▸ Or digital forms of making
THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY.
1. EDUCATE YOURSELF
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY
EDUCATE YOURSELF ▸ DePaul University Certified Caterpillar Workshop ▸ River City Labs (a makerspace in Peoria!) ▸ Literature and Academics ▸ O’Reilly Media - “Designing for Emerging Technology” ▸ Seymour Papert - “Mindstorms” ▸ Bruce Nussbaum - “Creative Intelligence” ▸ MAKE Magazine, Hackaday
A WORKSHOP FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET MORE HANDS-ON AT WORK
DEPAUL WORKSHOP ▸ 10 weeks ▸ Hands-on learning ▸ Circuits, soldering, microcontroller programming and manipulation, digital fabrication ▸ Certificate from DePaul University ▸ Credit from Caterpillar
2. PICK A PROJECT
FIND SOMETHING TO DO
PICK A PROJECT ▸ Use making as an insertion point into something else that you’re interested in ▸ Games ▸ Tools ▸ Robotics ▸ Woodworking ▸ Sewing ▸ Digital Manufacturing
3. CREATE A CULTURE OF MAKING AND RISK TAKING
THANKS Jay Margalus E: [email protected] T: @jaymargalus W: jaymargalus.com
LEARNING BY MAKING
DESIGNING FOR PHYSICAL TECHNOLOGY
▸ Physical computing systems are increasingly being used to make our cars safer and our appliances more convenient to use. Toy manufacturers are using them to make ever more sophisticated interactive toys such as remote control helicopters. Sensor networks are used in parking garages to determine and show which spots are available. Artists are also using them to create physical environments that patrons can interact with. Individuals interested in physical technology have created DIY and DIWO (Do-It With Others) communities and a “maker culture” supported by media outlets such as Make magazine.
THE WORKFORCE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING DRAMATICALLY
THREE BIG CHANGES ▸ Shift from problem solving to “problem making” ▸ Recognition that tinkering and Making have great value as constructionist learning methods ▸ Incorporating computational thinking into our daily lives helps us create for our job.
1.
PROBLEM MAKING
2.
TINKERING AND MAKING HAVE WORTH
IN TINKERING PLATFORMS, BOGOST AND JENKINS SAY THAT “MAKING “ISOLATES ITSELF FROM THE BROADER APPLICATION DOMAINS FROM WHICH IT DRAWS INSPIRATION.” THEY GO ON TO CONCLUDE THAT GRADUATING TO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE “MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE VERY CONCEPT OF ‘MAKER CULTURE.’”
Bogost and Jenkins, Georgia Tech
LEARNING BY MAKING
EMBODIED LEARNING ▸ Engineering ▸ Design ▸ Education ▸ Art
3.
INCORPORATING CONSTRUCTIONISM
CREATING REAL THINGS
SHIFTING FROM DIGITAL TO PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS ▸ Students and employees are capable of creating digital representations, but not physical ones ▸ In order to truly understand our work, we need to create for it
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?
MAKING PROFESSIONALLY
TIME TO BECOME A MAKER
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? ▸ The maker economy will require a new set of tools ▸ A return to making with our hands ▸ Or digital forms of making
THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY.
1. EDUCATE YOURSELF
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY
EDUCATE YOURSELF ▸ DePaul University Certified Caterpillar Workshop ▸ River City Labs (a makerspace in Peoria!) ▸ Literature and Academics ▸ O’Reilly Media - “Designing for Emerging Technology” ▸ Seymour Papert - “Mindstorms” ▸ Bruce Nussbaum - “Creative Intelligence” ▸ MAKE Magazine, Hackaday
A WORKSHOP FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET MORE HANDS-ON AT WORK
DEPAUL WORKSHOP ▸ 10 weeks ▸ Hands-on learning ▸ Circuits, soldering, microcontroller programming and manipulation, digital fabrication ▸ Certificate from DePaul University ▸ Credit from Caterpillar
2. PICK A PROJECT
FIND SOMETHING TO DO
PICK A PROJECT ▸ Use making as an insertion point into something else that you’re interested in ▸ Games ▸ Tools ▸ Robotics ▸ Woodworking ▸ Sewing ▸ Digital Manufacturing
3. CREATE A CULTURE OF MAKING AND RISK TAKING
THANKS Jay Margalus E: [email protected] T: @jaymargalus W: jaymargalus.com
