Hong Kong hackerspace movement lets children learn by creating
Hackerspace concept expands via events such as MakerCamp - a break from traditional, heavily scripted Hong Kong education
The children are busy playing around with batteries, LEDs and electricity-conducting tape while Brian Smith explains how circuits work. No one is looking at Smith, however, but that's the point. The youngsters, mostly around age 11, are taking part in a MakerCamp workshop, part of a movement to show children how to learn by creating.
Organisers say they started the series of summer workshops for youngsters because they wanted children to learn differently. For example, instead of structured lessons where teachers explain how electricity works, the children try to build a simple circuit using wire and batteries to turn on an LED light. Or they might create something using a 3D printer or print a T-shirt with a silk screen.
Smith, a technology coach at Hong Kong International School and a volunteer at the event, says it's about letting people learn by doing.
"A lot of times we teach a concept [in class] and ask students to go do it; I think we should flip that," he says.
"It's about putting agency back to the learner, back to the doer; instead of just going out and buying new things when something goes wrong, you try and figure things out."
