Research

An integral part of the FabLearn program is foundational, rigorous learning sciences research.

A multi-disciplinary and international FabLearn research network collaborates to actively explore the practice of teaching and learning in makerspaces and fab labs and the processes underlying project-based, inquiry-driven education, especially in the STEM disciplines.

Led by Columbia’s Paulo Blikstein, associate professor at the Columbia University Teachers College, FabLearn is based on the work of the Transformative Learning Technologies Lab (TLTL) with international research collaborators.

Researchers work together across several domains of research in education, human computer interaction, educational data mining, and multimodal learning analytics.

Areas of Research

Learning Assessment

  • Big data multimodal learning analytics tools for automated assessment in project based education
  • Research on cognitive and non-cognitive learning gains, spatial reasoning, self-efficacy, and social networks within makerspaces
  • Identification of intervention points through longitudinal research 
  • Multi-country comparative learning outcome studies

Socio-Cultural Factors 

  • Impact on under-resourced and under-privileged student populations
  • Gender issues in making
  • Identity and self-efficacy in makerspaces

Implementation Models

  • Proof of concept, school, district, state and national implementation models for public education

Tools 

  • Tangible/Virtual interfaces for learning
  • Low cost robotics
  • Next generation biomaking tools

Environments 

  • Design of the physical and virtual environments for constructionist learning

Instructional Methodologies 

  • Inquiry and experimentation strategies
  • Interactive simulations vs. physical manipulative environments
  • Bifocal modeling for science teaching: reconciliation of discrepant events between physical experiments and virtual models
  • Order of instruction and preparation for future learning

International Collaborators

Chiang Mai UniversityThailand(ongoing)
University of Sao PauloBrazil(ongoing)
Columbia University, School of Engineering and Applied SciencesUnited States(ongoing)
New York Hall of ScienceUnited States(ongoing)
University of California, BerkeleyUnited States(ongoing)
Haute école pédagogique du canton de VaudSwitzerland(ongoing)
The Independent Schools Foundation AcademyHong Kong SAR(ongoing)
Instituto SingularidadesBrazil(2022-2024)
Copernicus Science CentrePoland(2020-2023)
Institute for Innovation in Education Research (INDIRE)Italy(2018-2023)
Bloomfield Science Museum JerusalemIsrael(2020-2022)
Ecsite, the European Network for Science Centres & MuseumsBelgium(2020-2022)
European SchoolnetBelgium(2020-2022)
ForthUnited Kingdom(2020-2022)
Waag FuturelabThe Netherlands(2020-2022)
Centro Ciência Viva de LagosPortugal(2020-2022)
Mobilis Kiállítási KözpontHungary(2020-2022)
Asociaţia Secular-Umanistă din România (2020-2022)Romania(2020-2022)
Museos Científicos CoruñesesSpain(2020-2022)
SciCoGreece(2020-2022)
Tom Tits ExperimentSweden(2020-2022)
Citizen SchoolsUnited States(2019-2021)
Digital PromiseUnited States(2019-2021)
Fab FoundationUnited States(2019-2021)
Maker EdUnited States(2019-2021)
Nation of MakersUnited States(2019-2021)
University of HelsinkiFinland(2015-2019)
Universidad TecnológicaUruguay(2019)
Universidad del Trabajo de UruguayUruguay(2019)
Plan CeibalUruguay(2019)
Aarhus UniversityDenmark(2014-2018)