Steam learning in an in-school makerspace: the role of distributed spatial sensemaking

Kay E. Ramey, Reed Stevens, David H. Uttal

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in BookOther chapter contributionpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examines technology-enhanced STEAM learning among fifth and sixth grade students in one set of in-school makerspaces. It focuses on the learning of one set of meta-disciplinary skills, spatial skills. Prior research has shown these skills to be relevant for STEAM achievement, but they have been underemphasized in our schools and in the literature on learning through making. Informed by a distributed cognition perspective and using a combination of qualitative categorical coding and interaction analysis, this study provides a learning sciences approach to studying spatial thinking and learning. Analyses show that during making activities students engaged in frequent and diverse spatial thinking with a variety of social and material resources and that the sociomaterial contexts of different making activities facilitated different types of spatial thinking. They also show that spatial thinking developed over time and led to problem-solving insights.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRethinking Learning in the Digital Age: Making the Learning Sciences Count
Subtitle of host publication13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS) 2018
EditorsJudy Kay, Rosemary Luckin
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
PublisherInternational Society of the Learning Sciences
Pages168-175
Number of pages8
Volume3
ISBN (Print)9781732467224
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2018: Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age: Making the Learning Sciences Count - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 23 Jun 201827 Jun 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS
PublisherInternational Society of the Learning Sciences
ISSN (Print)1814-9316

Conference

Conference13th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2018: Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age: Making the Learning Sciences Count
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period23/06/1827/06/18

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