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

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