Article 2024

The Influence of Teachers’ Perception of Creativity and Makerspaces on Their Practice in Norwegian Compulsory Schools

Design and Technology Education
Journal · Vol. 29 · Issue 1 · pp. 36-52
Abstract

The use of makerspaces in Norwegian compulsory education is growing. However, using maker-centred learning to support creativity has yet to be examined extensively in the Norwegian context. Consequently, the aim of this research is to explore Norwegian makerspace teachers’ conceptions of the use of maker-centred learning to augment creative capabilities and digital competences. The study focuses on teachers’ understandings of creativity and makerspaces along with various aspects of maker-centred learning and how they support creativity. The data was collected via six semi-structured interviews with teachers working in school-based makerspaces. In the interviews, the teachers conceptualised creativity related to makerspaces and reflected on various pedagogical aspects of managing creative makerspace activities. The research indicates that teachers have similar understandings of makerspaces but different interpretations of creativity. As a result, the makerspaces are designed differently, and the teachers use a variety of teaching methods. The findings also indicate that the teacher must be able to change their role from being an instructor to a facilitator and observer while also managing the utilised technology. Digital technology, collaboration, and constraints were also found to be factors that supported students’ creativity. © 2024, The Design and Technology Association. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Creativity invention pedagogy maker-centred learning makerspaces Norwegian compulsory education

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Buskerud, Norway
Haskoli Islands, Reykjavik, Iceland
Funding & Acknowledgements
Norges Forskningsråd
Grant: 324758
This research was funded by the Norwegian Research Council, project number: 324758.
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