Event details
The Makerspaces in Primary School Settings project sought to examine how maker activities using 3D design and 3D printing technology could enhance learning and teaching outcomes. Across the 24 Kindergarten to Year 2 classes that were analysed, students developed a range of 21st century capabilities including creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, inquiry, design thinking, collaboration, autonomy, literacy, numeracy, scientific understanding, digital literacy, communication, reflective learning capabilities and resilience.
This webinar will explore some of the findings of the study and include a discussion of some practical ways to establish a makerspace or maker culture in primary schools.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Matt Bower is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Macquarie University who focuses on how contemporary technologies can be used to advance learning. He is particularly interested in how innovative technologies such as augmented reality, Web 2.0 tools, virtual worlds, social networking, virtual reality and so on can be most effectively used to support cognitive development and collaborative learning. Matt has over eighty peer-reviewed publications in the area of technology-enhanced learning design, teacher education, and computing education. He has led several funded grant projects and participated in many other research initiatives (total funding exceeds $1M). He has delivered numerous keynote and invited speaker presentations on topics such as augmented reality, blended-synchronous learning and learning design. For more details about Matt’s research and portfolio, see: https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/matt-bower
