Children’s views on making and designing

ABSTRACT

This paper will focus on children’s views on their making and design capabilities. There is a paucity of research investigating learning in makerspaces particularly for younger children. Theoretical ideas based on constructionism (Papert), Vygotsky (socio-constructivism) and Dewey's pragmatic, inquiry based and reflective learning underpin this study. Fourteen group interviews were conducted with 34 young children (five to eight years old). Their responses were inductively and thematically analysed. Children provided rich insights into new pedagogical approaches, like makerspaces, and identified challenges with the use of the digital tools (3D App and 3D printers). Children enjoyed directing their own learning and viewed their experiences as creative. This research will advance knowledge on how makerspaces and design thinking skills can be integrated in early childhood and early primary education.

KEYWORDS:

• Early childhood education
• makerspaces
• design thinking
• 3D design
• 3D printing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

ORCID

Maria Hatzigianni http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9378-2598

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded in part by an AusIndustry Innovation Connections Grant, the NSW Department of Education, and Makers Empire Pty Ltd.