Maker Methodology
Step 3: DESIGN AND CHOOSE

After creating some project ideas, it can be tough to choose the best one for your needs. We offer 2 tools that can help you.
​(Hint - students can also use these tools when it's their turn to choose their own project idea.)
Design
Maker Mock-Up: A Tool for Creative Ideation
"...The card game was a real game changer in terms of pushing lessons into new places, and allowed for some really great collaborative ideas."
-Nicole Winters, Art Teacher, Littleton Middle School
Download and use this game with colleagues to start creative conversations about how and what your students can make. A deck of Maker Mock-Up cards includes Tool, Material, Object, and Focus cards. Here's how to use it:

Prep the deck - remove any cards with tools/materials you don’t have; shuffle each category separately.

Choose one subject card OR your content standard.
Deal one hand for the group: Combine cards to come up with 3+ ideas for projects
Or...make up your own rules! Leave out a Focus card, time your rounds, pitch competing ideas - make this game what you need it to be.

Maker Mockup:  a Brainstorming game

Instructions 
  1. Gather a group of 2 to 4 people.
  2. Share your learning objective with the group.
  3. Deal a hand to the group:​​
  • 1 Object card
  • 2 Tools cards
  • 3 Materials cards
4. Deal new materials or tools if you don't have the ones shown
5. As a group, come up with at least 3 project ideas from the cards handed out.
For a good brainstorming session, follow these practices:
  • Write down all the ideas: there are no bad ideas!
  • If you don't understand an idea, ask questions.
  • Listen to others and encourage their ideas
  • Build on or combine other ideas
  • Have fun!

Complete List - Maker Mockup game pieces and instructions
Choose
The Pro/Con list lets you consider important strengths and weaknesses quickly, but the criteria/constraints are not clearly defined
The Decision Matrix helps you discuss each project in depth - it lets you define and weight your criteria and constraints, and helps you rank ideas. Be prepared for your team discussion to take some time.
DOWNLOADS
MakerMockUp-instructions.pdf
File Size: 418 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
MakerMockUp-tools.pdf
File Size: 17 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
MakerMockUp-materials.pdf
File Size: 44 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
MakerMockUp-Object.pdf
File Size: 351 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
MakerMockUp-Focus.pdf
File Size: 194 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Our Maker Methodology
Click each step for information and downloadable planning tools.
  1. Define your learning goals for the project
  2. Discover other projects that can inspire your own
  3. Design and Choose your own Maker project ideas
  4. Plan the day-to-day details of your project 
  5. Deliver your plan - roll out the project and facilitate your students' work 
  6. Share your students' work with a larger community
  7. Reflect and refine improve your project plans

Contact Us