Empowering Teachers and New Generations through Design Thinking and Digital Fabrication Learning Activities

The purpose of this study is to investigate in which way teachers can be empowered to initiate learning activities involving design thinking and digital fabrication, developing students’ skills necessary in the 21st century, in schools. Understanding and being able to deal with technologies are seen ever more important in society and working life. Digital fabrication may be seen as next generations ‘information technology’. The paper examines Danish FabLab@SCHOOLdk partnership and its several different models to arrange further education of FabLab Pioneer Teachers in the three unique municipalities involved. The study identifies five important stakeholders inside the FabLab@SCHOOLdk initiative and illuminates their different roles and tasks for supporting processes to empower teachers. A Framework is suggested for the evaluation of the initiative of FabLab@SCHOOLdk or as inspiration for other communities building or developing similar activities.