Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend implementing a makerspace at his school. It's the most useful book I've read all year! It begins with foundational information and research about why making is so important for kids. Gary and Sylvia reference numerous teachers and how they currently use maker strategies. The last part of the book gives you resources and ideas for making "making" happen in your own school. I can't recommend this highly enough. Very accessible - not overly geeky or overly intellectual; just the right balance!

This book has blown my mind open from the moment I picked it. And in the week that I've had it, I've been unable to put it down. Having the luxury of being a homeschooling family, I know we are not subject to the same types of learning as in the typical classroom. Yet, I find my institutional buttons being pressed all time. Is he learning? EEK. We need to do more worksheets! To be fair, the authors brought what's in my heart to life. So I wasn't starting from ground zero as far as the philosophy. This book just pushed me over the edge into full blown constructivism. In just 2 days of going to a maker model with my son, we are both PUMPED about learning and making and tinkering. I honestly think this book is life changing. I don't have enough words of praise and thanks!

For teachers who are interested in introducing STEM classes, courses, and topics to their classroom, "Invent to Learn" is a very useful resource. It explains to teachers how to manage their classroom and set their goals and priorities. It also provides a lot of resources and supplementary material. Most usefully, the book introduces to teachers the wonders of Scratch programming software, the Arduino programmable micro-controller, and other keep-it-simple accessible technology.

This is a must-have for any STEM teacher... or really any parent or teacher who wants their kids/students thinking and making. It has lots of resources and great ideas. The authors are clearly knowledgeable in the field and have lots of experience. There's a website that accompanies the book with updates and even more great info. The authors also have websites that are valuable resources. I purchased the Kindle edition. The paper version might be a bit better for bookmarking, highlighting and scribbling notes. Again, great book.

"Invent to Learn" provides an overview with lots of examples of how "making" can be incorporated into the classroom, but it's written by two education technology experts who don't seem to have much experience in K-12 classrooms with students, and doesn't provide the kind of useful information I'd expect in a book written for an audience of classroom teachers. Don't judge the book by the introduction or first chapter, which are much less useful and interesting than the later chapters. This book is a great example of how misleading Amazon's free preview feature can be; for this book, it includes only the Introduction, which is frankly not as interesting and engaging (and certainly not as useful) as some of the later chapters. Chapter One is a dry, unhelpful history of "making." You must grind forward to find the content that's actually insightful and useful. This book provides a broad overview and could certainly be useful to some teachers who believe their knowledge of technology is weak. Some of the later chapters might be useful to more teachers who already incorporate technology and "making" in their classrooms.

Aside from the great practical suggestions for how to embrace making in the classroom, the book does an even better job at explaining constructionist pedagogy (and this part of the book will be valuable stillin 20 years time). I used this book in a class for veteran teachers and thought it was easy to read and spawned good discussions. Would recommend for anyone in the field of k16 education who wants to focus on more student-centered pedagogy and give students opportunities for tinkering as a style of learning.

As a modeling physics and robotics teacher looking for project based learning ideas this book is inspirational. It provides a wealth of ideas while documenting the history and growth of the maker movement. Links to resources throughout the book provide valuable mid-read investigation opportunities. The final chapter provides a summary of all the resources and links. I cannot imagine a better overall resource for inspiring creative learning.

Although Gary Stager is a self-professed and shameless self-promoter, this book is a must read for educators in a position to take charge of their curriculum and even for those who are not. If you get one or two ideas out of it for your classroom, it is worth it. Sylvia Martinez brings some common sense and a sense of reality to the table. Interestingly, there is really nothing new here but the ideas John Dewey brought to us early in the last century are well worth the review and reflection in our time. This book does it. It is a quick read. Go for it.

Great insights into the history of making and making Tinkering happen

I received a recommendation for this book during a Maker Faire. I bought it, dip in and out, apply it in my teaching and reflect. I've recommended it more times than I can remember. It should be part of every educators essential kit. Don't keep reading reviews - buy the book!

An excellent primer for creating a makerspace or fablab environment--from concept to practical suggestions.

Amazing resource. Should be required reading for all teachers who are interested in modern teaching methods, and the first book read before creating a makerspace

O livro aborda vários aspectos importantes para a implementação da cultura maker na escola, desde dos espaços maker, aprendizagem baseada em projetos, o incentivo à criatividade e autonomia do aluno etc. Além de fornecer diversas outras fontes de consultas.