Publication Date
5-2024
Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)
3-8-2024
Type of Culminating Activity
Dissertation
Degree Title
Doctor of Education in Educational Technology
Department Filter
Educational Technology
Department
Educational Technology
Supervisory Committee Chair
Ross Perkins, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Yu-Hui Ching, Ph.D.
Supervisory Committee Member
Yu-Chang Hsu, Ph.D.
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of the Beyond Rubrics Toolkit (BRT) as an embedded assessment instrument within makerspaces. Conducted as a pilot study at two Boys & Girls Club sites during afterschool programming, the research aimed to address the following research questions: (1) What skills are Youth Development Professionals teaching and assessing through makerspace programming? (2) How is learning currently assessed in the BGCS makerspaces? (3) What is the Youth Development Professional's perception of the Beyond Rubrics toolkit as a method to assess learning in the makerspace? (4) How would the Youth Development Professionals characterize the student learning being assessed via the BRT? (5) What parts of the toolkit did Youth Development Professionals find the most useful for assessing skills taught during makerspace activities? Data collection methods encompassed pre- and post-participant interviews, participant journals, observational field notes, and BRT evidence collection templates. The findings revealed challenges in seamlessly integrating the BRT evidence collection tools into maker activities, with an overall perception that they were regarded as an add-on rather than an integral part of the maker activity. Despite the challenges encountered, findings suggested that increased support and training with the BRT evidence collection tools, could enhance documentation of club member’s understanding and use of the Maker Elements, therefore enhancing assessment within the makerspaces. The study also underscores the importance of developing assessment instruments tailored to informal learning environments like makerspaces.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2160.boisestate
Recommended Citation
Dzbenski, Stacy L., "Assessing Experiential Learning in a K-12 Afterschool Makerspace: Using the Beyond Rubrics Toolkit" (2024). Boise State University Theses and Dissertations. 2160.
https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2160.boisestate
