How Makerspaces Help to Participate in Technology : Results of a Survey to Gain Data about Learners’ Activities in Makerspaces

Makerspaces in the field of Engineering Education may serve as open labs for hands-on engineering and learning about new technologies, e.g. additive manufacturing. Being opened for members of engineering departments as well as for other members of universities, ‘makers’ from various disciplines and technology experts meet one another. While exploring individual paths helping them to conceive, design, implement and operate their own products, learners apply different technologies, materials and methods that can be allocated in information technology, electrical or mechanical engineering or also educational and rehabilitation sciences. While individualized products and minimum lot sizes address new engineering challenges in terms of flexibility but also sustainability, promising approaches e.g., FabLabs or Makerspaces – off the common qualification paths – should be explored. With regards to an increased share of information and communication technology within the work environments of the future – postulating a growing demand for new competence profiles and innovative learning scenarios –, the implemented approach offers learning opportunities to promote creativity and foster a ‘maker mindset’. The paper at hand therefore classifies common operating procedures within a specific makerspace based on the results of an accompanying evaluation, focusing on the learners’ activities and the technologies involved.