Foundational Principles and Practices to Consider In Assessing Maker Education

Michael Lundberg *, Jay Rasmussen**
* Sixth Grade Teacher, Mounds View Public Schools, USA.
** Professor, Department of Education, Bethel University, USA.
Periodicity:January - March'2018
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13975

Abstract

The maker education movement is growing in the United States. In order for this movement to gain widespread acceptance it is critical that students’ learning goals and progress towards those goals are clearly visible to all stakeholders. Given that traditional assessment methods may not be best suited for measuring some of the higher order skills associated with maker education, this paper explores this essential question: What are the critical principles and practices to consider when designing an effective assessment plan for maker education? Following a brief definition and history of maker education, the authors suggest that there are eight principles and five practices worthy of consideration when designing an assessment plan for students engaged with maker education experiences. An appendix containing example assessment tools is included.

Keywords

Maker Education, Maker Space, Assessment Plan, Design Thinking, Project-based Learning, Hands-on Learning, Iterative Learning, Innovation, Experimentation, Invention, Design Cycle, Fab Lab, Hacker Space, Digital Badges

How to Cite this Article?

Lundberg, M., and Rasmussen, J. (2018). Foundational Principles and Practices to Consider In Assessing Maker Education. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 14(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.14.4.13975

References

[1]. Agency By Design. (2015). Maker-centered learning and the development of self: Preliminary findings of the agency by design project. Cambridge, MA.
[2]. Bennet, D., & Monahan, P. (2014). NYSCI design lab: No bored kids. In M. Honey, & D. Kanter (Eds.), Design, Make, Play (pp. 34-49). New York: Routledge.
[3]. Chang, S., Keune, A., Peppler, K., McKay, C., & Regalia, L. (2015). The importance of portfolios for makers. In Keune, A., A. Maltese, C. McKay, S. Chang, K. Peppler& L. Regalia (Eds.), Open Portfolio Project: Research Brief Series (pp. 12-17) Maker Ed.
[5]. Dewey, J. (1998). Experience and education (60 anniversary Ed.). West Lafayette, IN: Kappa Delta Pi.
[6]. Doorley, S., & Witthoft, S. (2012). Make space: How to set the stage for creative collaboration. John Wiley & Sons.
[7]. Dougherty, D. (2013). The maker mindset. In M. Honey, & D. Kanter (Eds.), Design, Make, Play: Growing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators (pp. 7-11). New York: Routledge
[8]. Dweck, C. (1999). Self-theories. Philadelphia: Psychology Press.
[10]. Fleming, L. (2015). Worlds of Making: Best Practices for Establishing a Makerspace for your School. Corwin Press.
[11]. Halverson, E. R., & Sheridan, K. (2014). The maker movement in education. Harvard Educational Review, 84(4), 495-504.
[13]. Honey, M., & Kanter, D. E. (2013). Design, make, play: Growing the next generation of science innovators. In Honey, M., & Kanter, D. E. (Eds.), Design, Make, Play: Growing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators (pp. 1–6). New York: Routledge.
[15]. Kurti, R. S., Kurti, D., & Fleming, L. (2014). The environment and tools of great educational makerspaces: Part 2 of making an educational makerspace. Teacher Librarian, 42(1), 8-12.
[16]. Martinez, S. L., & Stager, G. (2013). Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom. Torrance, CA: Constructing Modern Knowledge Press.
[17]. Piaget, J. (1976). To understand is to invent: The Future of Education. New York: Penguin Books.
[18]. Rumberger, R. W. (2011). Dropping out: Why students drop out of high school and what can be done about it. Palo Alto, CA: Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
[19]. Sheridan, K., Halverson, E. R., Litts, B.K., Brahms, L., Jacobs-Priebe, L., & Owens, T. J. (2014). Learning in the making: A comparative case study of three makerspaces. Harvard Educational Review, 84(4), 505- 531.
[20]. Vygotsky, L. S., & Cole, M., (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press
[21]. Washor, E., & Mojkowski, C. (2013). Making their way in the world. In M. Honey, & D. Kanter (Eds.), Design, Make, Play: Growing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators (pp. 189-217). New York: Routledge.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Online 15 15

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.