Makerspaces for Creative Learning (FutureLearn)

On this three-week course, you’ll delve into the importance of cultivating creative mindsets alongside scientific and engineering disciplines, and learn how makerspaces are an effective way to do this.

Makerspaces are physical locations that provide hands-on opportunities for students to design, experiment, build, and invent. This course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to visit makerspaces in your area, or even better, set up one of your own.

Discover the importance of makerspaces

A makerspace can help children and young people develop the types of creative skills that will be vital for future employment and learning.

You’ll identify the importance of fostering creativity in children aged 3-15 before exploring the educational, cultural, and social value of makerspaces.

Create a space to improve digital literacy with the University of Sheffield

You’ll discover how makerspaces have been set up in early years settings, schools, libraries, museums, and community spaces to see the different methods for fostering creative learning environments.

Guided by the University of Sheffield and experts in creating makerspaces, you’ll develop ideas for building your own makerspace in your community. You’ll focus on enhancing digital literacy and promoting creativity to design a makerspace that prepares children for entering work in the fourth industrial revolution.

What topics will you cover?

- Why do we need creative skills?

- How learning takes place in makerspaces

- Makerspaces and STEAM education

- Makerspaces in schools and early years settings

- Making and the curriculum

- Makerspaces in museums, libraries and community settings

- Diversity, access and inclusion in makerspaces

- Building your maker community

- Practical considerations for developing your own makerspace

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Explain the importance of fostering creativity in children aged 3-11

- Discuss the educational, cultural and social value of makerspaces

- Describe ways of organising makerspaces in early years settings, schools, libraries, museums and community spaces

- Develop ideas for building your own makerspace