Unveiling Cultural Perspectives on Makerspaces in Asia: Negotiating Global and Local Tools and Practices (Poster 47)

• In Event: Friday Poster Session 7:45 am
  In Poster Session: Learning Sciences SIG Poster Session 1: STEM Learning, Motivation, Culture, and Design-Based Research

Abstract

Maker education has reenergized project-based, student-centered work in many schools around the world, markedly to its tools and mindset. Nevertheless, most of the research and case studies are still centered around the realities of North-American schools. Through an action research program at a school in an Asian country, we collected data to investigate how local implementation and culture interact with global scripts of maker education in that school. We present case studies of two teachers and how they negotiate meanings for (1) the use of mainstream maker tools and techniques, (2) student choice, and (3) the balance of assessing the process and product. Finally, we discuss the limitations of importing a maker-based curriculum from global scripts into, culturally-valued practices.

Authors

• Renato Russo, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Tamar Fuhrmann, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Paulo Blikstein, Teachers College, Columbia University