Makerspace: Innovation in Mechanical Engineering Education

Yıl 2021, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 1, 207 - 213, 30.04.2021

Elif Bengu Emin Faruk Keçeci

Öz

The complexity of industrial developments requires engineering students to have hands on experience as well as theoretical engineering
knowledge. There is a need for a change of classical engineering curriculums. Makerspaces can be a crucial part of this change. They are
introduced as physical locations where engineering student’s curiosity is fed and solutions to problems are found through teamwork. Their
use in higher education can also provide an opportunity for students to engage in experiential learning. They can develop a large range of
soft skills that traditional undergraduate curriculum is unable to provide, such as planning, teamwork, critical thinking and communication.
There are still limited studies about the full effect and impact of these spaces in teaching and learning, from the pedagogical perspective.
The aim of this study is to determine students’ experiences with such spaces and examine how makerspaces are contributing to their
learning. Descriptive research method (one-on-one interviews and normative survey) were used to evaluate students, graduate assistants
and a faculty members’ perception of the space and depict the situation. The results of this study showed that students want more than
theoretical knowledge from their engineering education. They want to be able to gain hands on experience while they are learning theory.
While designing a makerspace for that purpose, the sustainability and the functioning of these spaces should be taken into consideration.
The findings of this study can provide guidance for the institutions that are planning to build a makerspace in their campuses.

Anahtar Kelimeler

makerspace, higher education, engineering education, innovation, hands-on learning

Destekleyen Kurum

Department of the Scientific Research Projects, Abdullah Gul University

Proje Numarası

SCD-2018-112

Makerspace: Makina Mühendisliği Eğitiminde İnovasyon

Öz

Gelişen endüstrinin karmaşıklığı, mühendislik öğrencilerinin teorik mühendislik bilgilerinin yanı sıra deneyime de sahip olmalarını
gerektirir. Klasik mühendislik müfredatlarının değiştirilmesine ihtiyaç vardır. Makerspace bu değişikliğin önemli bir parçası olabilir. Bu
alanlar, mühendislik öğrencilerinin merakının beslendiği ve ekip çalışması yoluyla sorunlara çözümlerin bulunduğu fiziksel yerler olarak
tanımlanmaktadır. Yükseköğretimde kullanımları, öğrencilerin deneyimsel öğrenmeye katılımları için bir fırsat sağlamaktadır. Geleneksel
lisans müfredatının veremediği planlama, ekip çalışması, eleştirel düşünme ve iletişim gibi beceriler bu şekilde geliştirebilirler. Pedagojik
perspektiften bakıldığında ise, bu alanların öğretim ve öğrenmedeki önemi ve etkileri hakkında hâlen sınırlı sayıda çalışma bulunmaktadır.
Bu çalışmanın amacı öğrencilerin bu tür alanlardaki deneyimlerini belirlemek ve bu alanların öğrenmelerine nasıl katkıda bulunduğunu
incelemektir. Öğrencilerin, araştırma görevlilerinin ve bu alanı kuran öğretim üyesinin mekâna ilişkin algısını değerlendirmek ve durumu
tasvir etmek için amacıyla tanımlayıcı araştırma yöntemi (bire bir görüşmeler ve normatif anket) kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar, öğrencilerin
mühendislik eğitimlerinden teorik bilgilerden fazlasını istediğini göstermiştir. Teori öğrenirken aynı zamanda tecrübe de kazanmak
istemektedirler. Bu amaçla bir makerspace tasarlanırken, bu alanların sürdürülebilirliği ve işleyişi de dikkate alınmalıdır. Bu çalışmanın
bulguları, kampüslerinde bir makerspace kurmayı planlayan kurumlara rehberlik edebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

makerspace, yükseköğretim, mühendislik eğitimi, inovasyon, yaparak öğrenme

Proje Numarası

SCD-2018-112

Kaynakça

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