LibGuides: The Case for Makerspaces: 3. Collaborative Learning

Collaborative Learning

In the beginning stages of planning a Makerspace for Texas Wesleyan University, we reviewed the 2017 NMC Horizon Report.

The report gave us insights on the direction classrooms are taking toward collaborative learning.
We surveyed local universities and the school districts that our students were coming from and found that a vast majority had a STEAM or Makers initiative in place. Future students are going to be expecting more technology and collaborative learning environments in higher education and the library can help facilitate these changes.

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Collaborative learning (cooperative learning or group learning) is becoming more pervasive in schools and classrooms throughout the world, with technology such as makerspaces as a significant enabler

Makerspaces Move into Academic Libraries
“Today’s teens are part of an increasingly global and competitive society. Success in that environment requires an expanded set of skills that goes beyond traditional academic skills and includes learning and innovation skills (i.e., creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration), and information, media, and technology skills (i.e., information literacy, media literacy, digital literacy, and ICT literacy)”

In the last three decades, the skills required for young adults to succeed in the workforce have changed drastically, but the skills emphasized in schools have not kept up with these changes.
“Collaborative Learning.” Mid-Term Trend: Driving EdTech adoption in K-12 education for the next three to five years. NMC/CoSN Horizon Report: 2016 K-12 Edition, pages 12-13