Eaves, Sally

Harwood, Stephen

A new form of learning space has emerged across the world, marking a shift from Do-It-Yourself (DIY) to Do-it-Together (DIT). This space, generically known as a makerspace, is located inaccessible and affordable venues, both within communities and serving communities. It offers are source that allows people to discover their latent capabilities through exploration, experimentation and iteration, alongside the knowledge openly shared by those around them. The underlying rationale is found in the work of John Dewey, notably Democracy and Education (D&amp;E, 1916).This chapter examines this newer form of space to gain insight into what it implies for learning and education. It commences with a reflection of salient aspects of Dewey’s D&amp;E (1916) and how this informs understanding on what is desirable in a learning space. This is followed by a reflection upon research on makerspaces to establish how they can be conceptualised. A case study provides rich insights into characteristics, ethos and practices, whilst acknowledging that each space is unique and not representative of them all. Nevertheless, it foregrounds the essence of what defines a makerspace. The chapter closes with discussion of the implications and what may be concluded.Whatever has transpired between the publication of Dewey’s D&amp;E (1916) and the present, his vision of the empowered individual clearly manifests in the makerspace. It allows an individual to break free from the limitations of the formal educational system and as part of a social learning community,discover their potential in new, natural, non-linear and often unexpected ways. Further, and perhaps only just beginning to be understood, is its wider potential to ignite alternative approaches on howto contribute to society and catalysing new directions for the future of work. With increasing research insights alongside broadened awareness of the possibilities, individuals can gain the capability to design and build for their future - that is only limited by their capacity to imagine it

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The emergence of makerspaces, hackerspaces and fab labs:Dewey’s democratic communities of the 21st Century?

https://www.pure.ed.ac.uk/ws/files/58152724/DeweyFinal_SEavesSHarwood.pdf

The emergence of makerspaces, hackerspaces and fab labs:Dewey’s democratic communities of the 21st Century?

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