Thinking about an inclusive classroom means all students are included, regardless of ability or gender. Often people (and students) are categorized by ability and gender and are judged right off the bat. According to Invent to Learn by Martinez, it is human nature to size up a room and get a feeling if one belongs or not. Our students have the same feeling when they enter a classroom. All must feel included and able to complete something in the classroom in order to contribute their learning in some way.
Makerspaces are a great way to include all students! Having students working with their hands and creating masterpieces will give all students a sense of belongingness and a sense of accomplishment. This is also done with the aid of the facilitator, the teacher, to help students understand all have the ability to complete something, some may have to problem solve more than others but that is what makerspace is all about, tinkering!
Temple Grandin was a guest speaker on SUNY Oneonta’s campus which I was able to view digitally through Youtube, “Calling All Minds with Temple Grandin”. She gave great advice and information toward including all students, including those who have a categorized disability. She spoke from experience and the first major point that stuck out to me was that long strands of information is not beneficial to students. This is included in hands on activities, those that would be included in a makerspace. Giving directions in small segments is best for all students. Furthermore, she mentioned the importance of giving students choices. When students feel in control of their learning they are more engaged in the lesson and content. She also brought up how NASA has many employees that are on the spectrum and do miraculous things! And she connected this to learning through tinkering. This is required in order to make something work- problem solving at its best! Lasting, she brought up how classes, such as cooking classes fosters creativity and problem solving. We need to keep these classes in schools to help students develop these skills, which is why tinkering is important in culinary classes for all students!
Martinez, S. L., & Stager, G. (2019). Learning. In C. Sinclair (Ed.), Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom. Torrance, CA: Constructing Modern Knowledge Press.
Youtube: Calling All Minds with Temple Grandin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qv204E5U5E&feature=youtu.be
