maker-skills-apps

5 “maker” apps that give students post-college skills


From admissions to jobs post-graduation, showcasing maker skills provides an edge in the competition—and now, there are apps for that.

From colleges’ and universities’ decisions to allow student “maker” portfolios in admissions, to companies eager to hire talent that can demonstrate creative, problem-solving skill, the maker movement is gaining traction in education…and in the app store.

The “maker movement”— the push to have individuals construct functional products that are recreated and assembled using unused, discarded or broken electronic, plastic, silicon or virtually any raw material and/or product from a computer-related device—has considerable traction in the K-12 arena, and is gaining momentum in higher education (e.g. MIT’s maker admissions) as demonstrable skills are becoming critical in a world grown tired of SAT scores and all-too-common bachelor degrees. Even the White House held a Maker Faire in 2015.

MIT’s video on incorporating “maker” portfolios in admissions:

When Makers Apply For College from Maker Faire on FORA.tv

“The 21st century is going to see the integration of these tools into every college major and career choice,” said Gary Stager, keynote speaker and former Pepperdine University professor, in an article for Scholastic Administrator. “Making demonstrates not only technical knowledge and creativity but also habits such as perseverance and resourcefulness…Engineering and art are interrelated; computer programming is mandatory for biologists, musicians, and historians. We can do our [students] no better service than to introduce them to the powerful ideas that will shape the rest of their lives.”

Thanks to the growing maturity of mobile technology, specifically within the app economy, practicing and demonstrating “maker” skills is becoming a viable option for students and faculty eager to showcase these skills and projects on a compact device for 24/7 accessibility.

And though some of these apps are self-sufficient, in that they are platforms for virtual creations, many also are reference guides specifically for maker projects, as well as online communities for makers. (Android availability where noted.)

(Next page: 5 maker apps for students)

5 “maker” apps for students

123Dcatch123D Catch (Apple; Android)

Students can use their camera to capture people, places and things around them as realistic 3D experiences. The app automatically transform them into interactive 3D models that can be shared, and includes access to a growing community of 3D photographers. (Price: Free)

circuitplaygroundCircuit Playground (Apple; Android) Circuit Playground simplifies electronics reference and calculation so students can spend more time on hacking, making, and building projects. Features include the ability to calculate component values for Op Amp, 555, RC Filter, & Resistor Divider circuits; ecipher resistor and capacitor codes; calculate power, resistance, current, and voltage with Ohm’s Law & Power Calculators; convert between decimal, hexadecimal, binary or ASCII characters; and more. (Price: $4.49 Apple; $2.99 Android)

codeaCodea (Apple)

According to Wired, this app is “…kind of like the Garage Band of coding.” Codea lets users create games and simulations, as well as almost any visual idea students have. The app allows users to turn thoughts into interactive creations that make use of iPad features like Multi-Touch and the accelerometer. Codea is designed to let users “touch the code,” and is built on the Lua programming language, which doesn’t rely too much on symbols. (Price: $14.99)

hyperpadhyperPad (Apple)

Student can create apps like games, books, presentations, brochures, and kiosks without needing extensive coding experience. Without a single line of code, students can create a mobile game, like Angry Birds, thanks to a drag-and-drop behavior editor that removes the need for traditional programming. Checkout some projects created by users around the world on the hyperPad Hub. (Price: $4.99)

makersqrmakerSQR (Apple)

makerSQR provides a “virtual lab” to start real-life projects, as well as to offer skills, expertise, tools, services, real estate, etc., by providing a mobile community of makers that aims to bring together people, tools and projects to create new knowledge. Students can collaborate on projects with anyone part of the community, which include a free choice of topics to “allow passion and imagination become the ruling factors for future discoveries,” say the app’s developers. Students can also become contributors to projects, as well as add resources, such as tools, consumables, personal service or even real estate. (Price: Free)

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