Personal Retrospective

 

1. What was the build you’re most proud of and why?

My favorite part was the rolling dice circuit. It took me way out of my comfort zone, not only wiring it up carefully but wiring it then coding something creative to make the dice “roll” realistically. It was the worse at times (all those wires!) But seeing it work was a huge weight off my shoulders. Collaborating with my husband to work out the bugs in the code made it a fun collaboration, and I liked the way the project incorporated both technical skills and creativity.

2. Where were you when you started, and where did you end up?

I knew very little about circuits and code when I first started. Even the most basic projects, like making an LED blink, used to terrify me. By the end, I was building more advanced circuits that combined multiple components and writing code which is shocking. It's amazing to see how much more confidence I got along the road.

3. What did you learn that you didn’t know before?

• How to wire and build circuits.

• How to use Arduino to program and control physical components.

• The importance of troubleshooting... whether it’s fixing a loose wire or tweaking code.

4. How did you actually come to learn this new knowledge?

Getting my hands dirty was the best way for me to learn. I had to take on new problems and find solutions as I went along because each week's assignment built on the previous one. Working together with my classmates was also really important; I valued their input and found it really enjoyable to hear their views. Countless YouTube lessons, website searches, and moments of trial and error were also part of the process. 

5. What did you learn about yourself?

I discovered that I am far more capable than I would credit myself for. This course helped me remember that even the most difficult topics can be broken down into manageable chunks, even though I have a tendency to overthink new challenges. I also learned how much I enjoy being artistic when I make things—not just following directions, but also coming up with new ways to fix issues or make designs better. 

6. What were you telling yourself about yourself?

When I look at my old work, I see a mix of nervousness and drive. At first, I wasn't sure what to do and was just trying to finish the assignments. I felt more sure of myself and even proud as the weeks went by and I thought about what I'd accomplished. It’s a reminder that growth is a process, and it’s okay to feel hesitant at the start.

7. Where did you say your challenges were?

I had a lot of trouble with the technical side, especially at the start. I found it hard to do simple things like connecting an LED because I didn't have a plan for how to do them. Later, the challenges were more about making my builds better and fixing more complicated problems, like fixing bugs in code or finding out why a circuit wasn't working right. 

8. Did these challenges change over time?

They did, in fact, change. In the first few weeks, the hardest parts were getting the hang of the basics and getting over my own doubts. Later, they worked on solving problems and making my ideas better. I felt less scared of the technical side by the end, so I could focus on making my work more creative and well-done. 

9.  As you entered the world of the maker, what do you see as your next adventure in the world of making? Is it to expand your abilities to work with microprocessor and move from prototype to the production of something fun and useful? Is it to see what you can learn about the world of 3D design and printing? Is it to see what aspects of making can be used with the younger children? It is to see what you need to do to bring your vision of a maker space to life in the real world? It can be anything.

I wish to learn how to advance my Arduino projects and maybe create something useful for my students. It would be fun to make real parts that go with my circuits. As a first-grade teacher, I'd love to use simple maker projects with my kids, like Bee-Bots building or Scratch code.I'd love to make a full-fledged maker space where kids can do hands-on STEM tasks one day.

10. What are your next steps?

For now, I want to keep learning, trying new things, and looking for ways to share the fun of making with other people. I'm excited for what's to come, whether it's due to new technologies or teaching these ideas to my kids!