Participatory Learning

Participatory learning environments (PLEs) are systems that “ engage students in the construction of products requiring practices that embody complex concepts, necessitate collaboration, and contextualize learning within contexts in which problem-solving and inquiry are fundamental aspects of the learning process" (Barab, Hay, Barnett & Squire. 2001, p48) (http://makerspacesaustralia.weebly.com/references.html)

What is a makerspace?

A makerspace is a collaborative workspace inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools. These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, cnc machines, soldering irons, and even sewing machines. A makerspace, however, doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace. If you have cardboard, legos and art supplies you’re in business. If you are interested in finding out more about laser cutters though, you could always take a look at someone like Boss Laser. They can provide different types of laser from home use to industrial ones. It might be worthwhile having a look at if you want to make your own makerspace at home as well. It’s more of the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing and exploring your own interests that’s at the core of a makerspace. These spaces are also helping to prepare those who need critical 21st-century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). They provide hands-on learning, help with critical thinking skills and even boost self-confidence. Some of the skills that are learned in a makerspace pertain to electronics, 3d printing, 3D modeling, coding, robotics, and even woodworking, Makerspaces are also fostering entrepreneurship and are being utilized as incubators and accelerators for business startups. There have already been some amazing success stories that have come out of makerspaces to date.

Now that you have the bird’s eye view of a makerspace, let’s dig a little deeper.

Makerspaces have been called everything from a FabLab to a Techshop to a hackerspace. Is there a difference between these names? Yes and no. At the core, they are all places for making, collaborating, learning and sharing. Although these spaces have a lot in common, they are also different in a few ways.

To start with, a FabLab and Techshop are trademarked names for a particular type of makerspace. They are both generally stocked with similar types of maker equipment like 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, hand tools, etc. One is governed by a corporation (Techshop) and the other a foundation (Fab Foundation) and each has its own specific rules and charters to follow.

Techshop is a chain of for-profit makerspaces that was started in 2006 in CA. They bill themselves as part prototyping and fabrication studio and part learning center. Their makerspaces are supported by monthly fees from the maker/members who join.

Fab Labs were started by MIT Professor Neil Gershenfeld at the Center for Bits and Atoms in MITs Media Lab. A FabLab is a small-scale workshop offering digital fabrication. They define a FabLab in their own words as “a technical prototyping platform for innovation and invention, providing a stimulus for local entrepreneurship. It is also a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, and to invent.”

Makerspaces fit this framework by assisting students to build their understanding through collaborative construction. The items produced can be as varied as a balloon powered Lego car or a controller for a computer game made from apples and bananas. The key is that rather than providing direct instruction the goal of Makerspace is to establish a creative environment that encourages students to find explanations and discoveries through experimentation, nurture reflection, and support students in the carrying out of practices that embody personal, meaningful, practical and functional objectives.

According to The New Media Literacies Project, (http://playnml.wikispaces.com/PLAY!+Framework), the five characteristics of participatory learning are:

1. Heightened motivation and new forms of engagement through meaningful play and experimentation
2. Learning that feels relevant to students’ identities and interests
3. Opportunities for creating using a variety of media, tools, and practices
4. Co-configured expertise where educators and students pool their skills and knowledge and share in the tasks of teaching and learning.

Derivative of New Media Literacies Project

An integrated system of learning where connections between home, school, community, and the world are enabled and encouraged

Culled from:

1. http://makerspacesaustralia.weebly.com/participatory-learning.html
2. https://www.makerspaces.com/what-is-a-makerspace/