I have interview today at DEDO to talk about the possibility of operating a Trade School out of one of the empty storefronts in Wilmington, DE. A Trade School is "a self-organized learning-space run on barter." Why would I do this? I'm trying to find a space for Barrel of Makers, and that is my main objective over the next several months. Running a Trade School would distract us from finding a space.
Well, what's always been standing in our way, preventing us from either getting a space, or even running workshops, has been money. You don't need money to run a Trade School. Trade School runs on barter. Basically, the students come bearing gifts to the teachers. Teachers list the items the are looking for next to the descriptions of their classes. You sign up for a class by clicking it and saying "I can bring the following," by checking that item on their online list.
Sometimes it's a teacher's wish list:
Sometimes it's items the class can all share:
How cool would it be if, instead of watching TV tonight, you could bring something you already have or love to share, and learn from what some one else already has (their knowledge), and also loves to share. It's barter at its best-with no haggling.
Plus, there's something else we need in order to to secure a space: we need to know there's a community of people who will love Barrel of Makers as much as we do-who will love it as the home of possibilities, and openness, and sharing, and doing-so much so, that they are willing to donate their time. My board and I are over-stretched as it is. One way to help people fall in love is to let them experience what a having a makerspace means, firsthand. We are having a field trip to Maker Faire this weekend. Everyone should go. Maker Faire has everything, including a combination of inspiring lectures and hands-on workshops. Last year, one of my favorite speakers there was Caroline Woolard. She talked about bringing that one small part of Maker Faire to a group of people every day, for a few months. That is what Trade School is about, different classes every day/night, in a storefront space. For me, it was love at first sight. The greatest thing is, lots of people felt that way. Once they'd spent a night learning in a little community, they were asked-"Do you want to teach, if so, talk to us after class." And they did. Caroline only had to arrange for the first 10 teachers or so.
So, Trade School could help us foster a group of people who are in love, and give their time and talents. It's not as big of a time sucker as you might think, since if I can just get a few great teachers lined up, who will invite all their friends, some of those friends will end up as teachers as well. It won't cost anything but our time, and the time of these as yet un-met students and teachers.
We had a great success at our first interest meeting on September 16th, meeting about 20 new people. At our next, on October 21st, I hope to meet 20 more. Trade School, though, would really start increasing these numbers exponentially. I spoke to Caroline over e-mail, and she agreed that the storefront could serve as a test-run, at least of the workshop part of a makerspace, to gather interest and community.
So, I think the first step would be to gather what we have to start: We're Inviting you to be a teacher and a student. What can you teach?
Also, what do you want to learn? If you let us know, some one–who might think they have nothing to offer–could see that you are longing to learn something they know about.
So, far, I spoke to my hairdresser. She could teach: "How to Blow-Dry Your Hair the Right Way"
She'd like to learn: Any kind of hair-braiding, and Cake Decorating! Who can teach her?
learn more: http://talk.tradeschool.coop/to-start-a-trade-school/
