1. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION Info 490: Makerspace | 08.31.2015

2. MAKER MOVEMENT  What is the difference between a makerspace, fab lab and hackerspace? Does it matter if technology is involved? Why?  “Where” is the maker movement occurring? Who does it not impact?  How might it relate to innovation (or the 10 faces of it)?  Does it reflect ideological movements, such as libertarianism, anti-consumerism or sustainability-oriented living?  What implications might it have for markets and production?  Who is a maker?

3. EDUCATION AND LEARNING  How might learning happen in a makerspace?  What is Digital Literacy? How might makerspaces impact it?  Do makerspaces rely on constructivism?  Who are the learners and who are the teachers in a makerspace?  Do makerspaces fit with institutionalized education, as you’ve experienced it?  Does motivation and culture have anything to do with it?

4. ART AND DESIGN  What might the world of art offer makerspaces? Think about the objectives or purposes of art, and its audiences.  What do makerspaces offer to the world of art? Think about tools, mediums and participants.  What is art’s relationship to creativity?  Should art be part of formal education?

5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT  What is community informatics? How do we define communities? What are the boundaries of informatics?  How might communities of practice relate to other forms of community (identity, geographical)?  Are makers a single community of practice or many?  Why might makerspaces benefit from diversity?