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Bridging distance: Practical and pedagogical implications of virtual Makerspaces
Author(s) -
Lock Jennifer,
Redmond Petrea,
Orwin Lindy,
Powell Alwyn,
Becker Sandra,
Hollohan Paula,
Johnson Carol
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of computer assisted learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.583
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2729
pISSN - 0266-4909
DOI - 10.1111/jcal.12452
Subject(s) - affordance , bridging (networking) , qualitative research , work (physics) , sociology , psychology , computer science , knowledge management , engineering , human–computer interaction , social science , mechanical engineering , computer network
Makerspaces are locations where people with common interests can work on projects, share ideas, tools and expertise to make or create. There is an abundance of “how to” guides and research studies on physical makerspaces, little research focuses on describing the virtual making processes and the experiences therein. This qualitative study explores the experiences of seven participants who engaged in a synchronous virtual makerspace. Meeting once a month over 16 weeks, members of the International Maker Educator Network participated in the making of a robot. This case study describes how the virtual making occurred, the personal experiences of the makers, technology used to support virtual making, and the affordances and inhibitors of virtual making. Data are analysed through the lens of a professional learning community and the People, Means and Activities makerspace framework. The paper concludes with implications for virtual making in practice and future research opportunities.