UWG Ed.S. Student Determined to Enhance Makerspace Education Share this page
Have you ever wondered how CourseDen was created? Whenever you log on to view your courses, you are immediately met with sections of your grades, class announcements and online resources. These smartboards and learning management systems don’t create themselves; they are created by well-trained specialists that thrive on making education more accessible for students. And University of West Georgia graduate student Joshua Sullivan is here to prove that.
Pursuing an Ed.S. degree in instructional technology, media and design with a concentration in instructional technology, Sullivan was initially drawn to the field to find better tools and strategies for his eighth-grade classroom.
“Engaging students is often the most difficult process as a teacher, and this program [instructional technology] has provided me with numerous ways to make my students want to come to class,” he said.
Some of the unique tools and approaches that Sullivan has learned so far are makerspace lessons, virtual reality and AI applications – all of which have amplified his desire to improve makerspace education. At his middle school, the teachers don’t use the makerspace that is under the school’s arts and innovation magnet program, mainly due to lack of training on how to properly use the equipment. The makerspace includes amazing features such as 3D printers and a robotics lab.
“My ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive professional learning training session that will illustrate how to use the technologies and provide exemplar lessons that can lead to interdisciplinary connections and units amongst the staff,” Sullivan stated.
The projects that Sullivan has worked on include using 3D printers and the Glowforge to create technologies inspired by biomimicry principles. He has also used 3D printers and robotics to create models of boats and technologies designed for water systems. The ChompSaw and BeaverBot turned out to be effective tools for his students, who would use these to create mini-museums to present.
Although Sullivan is still incorporating new ways for his classroom learning, he is optimistic to use the knowledge that he gained from his curriculum and further develop as a professional learning facilitator.
“This program has given me the ability to learn many ways to engage students and provide teachers with options on how they can incorporate technology into their classrooms that will raise rigor and inspire students to create a higher level,” he concluded.