Browsing by Subject "design thinking"
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(2018)The purpose of this Master’s Thesis was to study the various types of objectives and contents created in a makerspace set in Finnish comprehensive school, and to find practices for developing similar innovative learning environments. The starting point was a research problem according to which the infrastructure of several comprehensive schools is in many ways inadequate in relation to the latest national core curriculum (POPS 2014), and therefore it fails to serve the acquisition of 21st century skills. The larger theoretical framework of this thesis is a socio constructivist learning theory, within which I review research done on learning environments and learning by making, with emphasis on design-oriented maker-culture. Previous studies have shown that inadequate physical learning environments may have negative impacts on learning and well-being in schools. Furthermore, there is strong scientific proof that emphasizing student-centered education and self-direction furthers learning. The research subject was the makerspace of a design education-oriented comprehensive school, whose concept has been selected as an educational innovation for the international project HundrED. The research approach selected was a case study and its qualitative data collected discretionarily through expert interviews. Visual anthropology as a research method enabled the use of visuality as part of content analysis. The analysis revealed that the makerspace aims at creating wide-ranging contents and objectives across school subject borders. Design methods are applied to the makerspace as part of both official and informal teaching. Data-based content analysis yielded a narrative image of the various stages of the creating process, pedagogical thinking of interviewees, and the still developing nature of the makerspace. The results of the thesis can be used particularly in creating new learning environments, which are making their way into basic education. Additionally, the results can be applied to designing and planning new schools.
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(2016)Nowadays design has an important role in people's everyday life. The goal of design education is to help children and young people to be more aware of and to understand different forms of design in our society, and learn how to apply design methods in practice. This is the way to promote and develop important future skills, such as knowledge creation, critical thinking and problem solving skills. In the new Finnish National Curriculum for Basic Education 2014 designing is an important part of craft education. This Master's Thesis is part of a wider design-based research which consists of work done by me and Päivi Heikkilä. Our research theme was to design and develop new design-based teaching material for secondary school craft education. The goal of the material is to inspire teachers and pupils to get familiar with the design process and to exploit it in a more holistic way in craft education. The original teaching material was designed, based on the background theory and experience, together with Päivi Heikkilä. After that we continued developing the material using the methods of user experience research. The survey for the craft teachers was part of my own Master's Thesis. The aim of the survey was to collect opinions and development ideas from the teachers working in the schools. The beta version of Muoto & käsityö teaching material was sent to 115 craft teachers around Finland and they evaluated different features of it. They were also asked to give ideas how to develop the material. The data was analyzed using statistical and qualitative research methods. According to this research, teachers are seeing the Muoto & käsityö teaching material suitable for craft education. They see the appearance and the overall structure clear, the content suitable for the secondary school pupils and the theoretical part important introduction to understand the design process. Teachers were also pleased with the usability of the project part. All of our goals for the teaching material were achieved. Teachers are seeing the Muoto & käsityö teaching material as a current and necessary addition to craft education, especially now when the new Finnish National Curriculum for Basic Education will take effect.
Now showing items 1-2 of 2