Pearson and Makerversity Launch Maker Tools for Teachers at SXSWedu
Austin, Texas (PRWEB) March 09, 2015 -- Today at SXSWedu, Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, and Makerversity, a making and learning startup in London, England, unveiled “Makerversity DIY - Make Tools for Learning,” a pioneering curriculum of hands-on lessons enabling educators to incorporate making and hands-on activities into core subjects. As a preview of the new tools, teachers can download one free lesson at makerversity.co.uk/learning beginning March 9, 2015.
The first 10 lessons allow anyone, anywhere to create their own ‘high tech’ classrooms and digital tools for learning. Aimed at students ages 10 to 14 years old (though they can easily be amended for other age groups), they help build competency in STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics). Example lessons include:
make a personalized uniform by designing brand graphics and using printing processes
build a microscope by hacking an inexpensive webcam
build a sand timer by using 3D printed components
design a musical instrument using a pre-programmed touchboard
The musical instrument lesson was developed after a successful week-long maker workshop last year with The Princes Trust and Will.i.am’s foundation, i.am.angel, which brought 15 students to the London space to construct and perform with their own musical instruments.
Pearson and Makerversity first teamed up in January 2013 to create the Pearson Lab, a ‘Classroom of the Future,’ at Makerversity’s headquarters in London’s iconic Somerset House. Since then, Pearson has provided guidance and expertise to help Makerversity bring hands-on learning activities, traditionally done in the London maker space, to classrooms anywhere in the world. The lesson packs have been developed following research in schools in the United Kingdom and North America, and also at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
“We believe that hands-on learning is an incredible way to engage young people. It’s both empowering and academically rigorous for students to fabricate everything they will then use in a classroom - from the desk to the chairs to their very own computer,” said Tom Tobia, founder of Makerversity. “It’s a holistic approach to learning that inspires creativity and also builds real-life skills, and we’re grateful for Pearson’s support - they have been instrumental in helping us realize our vision.”
“The 21st century classroom should reflect life in the 21st century,” said Dan Ginsberg, vice president global product strategy at Pearson. “As the world’s leading learning company, we are always exploring innovative and effective ways to support teachers and engage students. Our partnership with Makerversity helps bring the maker movement into the classroom - and will help to ensure that students are prepared for success in college, careers and life in general.”
During SXSWedu in Austin, Makerversity will be in the Pearson Learning Lounge demonstrating several of the lessons. Teachers may download one complimentary lesson at makerversity.co.uk/learning beginning Monday, March 9, 2015. The full set will be available to purchase this spring.
About Pearson
Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 40,000 employees in more than 80 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning.
Follow @PearsonLabs and labs.pearson.com for more on The Pearson Lab at Somerset House.
About Makerversity
Making and Learning
Makerversity is a pioneering community of emerging maker businesses. At their Somerset House ‘Mothership’ in central London, UK they are kickstarting the third industrial revolution, providing access to a range of studio, event and fabrication spaces and prototyping tools for diverse member businesses.
They have three objectives:
Supporting the best emerging maker businesses
Inspiring the next generation of creative and practical minds
Bringing making back into the heart of the city.
Makerversity members also constitute a faculty, each contributing time and skills to inspire the next generation of creative and practical minds through work placements, events and their education programme Makerversity DIY.
Follow @makerversity for the latest news and activity from Makerversity.
Notes to editors
Erin Farber, Director of Communications
Pearson, New York, NY | +1 (917) 697-2027
Brandon Pinette, Pearson, http://www.pearson.com, +1 (800) 745-8489, [email protected]
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