Traditional education systems rely on standardized tests and a set of knowledge and skills for graduation. In contrast, a maker project provides a hands-on, playful environment for students to express newfound skills and express themselves. Students can use these skills to make functional inventions or simply learn through questions. Moreover, the process encourages students to explore new concepts and ask questions, which promotes rich learning experiences that are impossible to measure on a test. In addition, making projects prepare students for real-world experiences.

One of the fundamental concepts behind note-making is the generation effect. Information that is created, rather than passively collected, is better remembered in the long run. This effect has implications beyond the realm of education. It suggests that the process of note-making is a key factor in transforming a student’s mindset from passive collection of information to active creation. While passive reading does not lead to long-term memory, active creation promotes assimilation.