Enhancing Creativity and Critical Thinking with MaKey MaKey in the DVC Classroom

As educators, it is essential to provide students with innovative tools and opportunities to foster their creativity and critical thinking skills. One such tool that has been proven to be highly effective in the realm of Digital and Visual Communication (DVC) is MaKey MaKey. This post will explore the definition of MaKey MaKey, its benefits in the classroom, and how a recent lesson on this tool allowed students to reflect on the functionality of their creations for end-users.

MaKey MaKey is an invention kit that allows students to turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet. It is a small, user-friendly circuit board with alligator clips that can be connected to various conductive materials, such as fruits, vegetables, aluminium foil, or graphite pencil drawings. By connecting these materials to the MaKey MaKey board, students can create interactive projects, turning their imaginations into reality.

Interdisciplinary Learning: MaKey MaKey bridges the gap between art, technology, and communication, making it an excellent tool for interdisciplinary learning. It encourages students to think beyond traditional boundaries and embrace the possibilities of combining multiple fields.

Fostering Creativity: MaKey MaKey empowers students to think creatively and innovatively. By utilising everyday objects to build interactive projects, students learn to approach problem-solving with innovative solutions.

Hands-on Learning: Hands-on learning is crucial for DVC students. MaKey MaKey enables them to engage in tangible projects, enhancing their understanding of concepts and fostering a deeper connection with the subject matter.

Promoting Collaboration: Students often work in groups to brainstorm ideas, test materials, and create projects. MaKey MaKey promotes teamwork, communication, and collaboration as they work towards a common goal.

Encouraging Critical Thinking: The process of building interactive projects with MaKey MaKey requires students to think critically about material conductivity, circuitry, and the end-user experience. They learn to assess their creations from the user's perspective, ensuring functionality and usability.

The Lesson: Exploring Functionality through MaKey MaKey Creations

In a recent MaKey MaKey lesson, students were tasked with designing two different projects: a game controller and a piano. The objective was not only to build these creations but also to reflect on their functionality for end-users. Here's how the lesson aligned with the New Zealand Digital Technologies Curriculum (level 3-4) and the corresponding progress outcomes:

Computational Thinking:

*Understanding User Interaction: Students had to analyse how different materials and conductors impacted user interaction with their game controller and piano. This evaluation involved identifying the strengths and limitations of their designs.

Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes:

*Creating Interactive Projects: Students developed interactive projects using MaKey MaKey, applying principles of design and communication to ensure the user experience was engaging and effective.

Creating Digital Content:

*Using Digital Tools: MaKey MaKey served as the primary digital tool for students to create their projects, introducing them to new ways of using technology for creative expression.

Integrating MaKey MaKey into the DVC curriculum has proven to be an exciting and valuable experience for both educators and students. By exploring the functionality of their creations, students learn to approach digital and visual communication with a user-centric mindset. The interdisciplinary nature of MaKey MaKey nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, aligning perfectly with the New Zealand Digital Technologies Curriculum's progress outcomes.

As educators, let's continue to leverage innovative tools like MaKey MaKey to inspire and empower our students, preparing them to thrive in a digital and creative future. The possibilities are limitless, and the impact on students' learning journeys is profound. Let's embark on this exciting journey together!