What is Fab Learning academy?

Fab Learning Academy is a Global Certification program for educators using digital fabrication technologies in K-12 settings. This distributed education model works with a global faculty, synchronous cohort meetings, and distributed Local Learning Nodes for the hands-on learning of the technologies.

Program Details

• Classes dates: FLA operates fall through spring (October-March)
• Commitment: Participants are expected to spend 4-8 hours a week in synchronous and asynchronous learning.
• Content: The course is divided into 4 Modules. In each module, participants engage in the following:
  • Global Masterclasses (virtual): Participants meet virtually with the Global Instructors for an interactive session weekly.
  • Local Instruction (in-person): Participants engage in hands-on learning about technologies and fabricate their weekly tasks through a Local Learning Node.
  • Real World Talks (virtual): Guest speakers are invited to share about innovative technologies and K-12 educational technologies.
  • Field Activities (in person): Participans will develop, fabricate, and test a lesson plan with their own learners each module.
• Language: Global Masterclasses are taught in English
• Graduation Ceremony: Graduates will be invited to attend the Ceremony during the International Fab Conference.

Why Fab Learning?

As schools across the globe are adding makerspaces with 3D printers, laser cutters, and other computer controlled machinery, these spaces and technologies are often not used to support student learning across the curriculum. In these spaces, students are mostly learning ABOUT the technology instead of THROUGH the technology. In order to unlock the teaching potential of digital design and fabrication, teachers need to gain an understanding of the capabilities of the technology, its uses, and also how the technologies can relate to what the students are already learning in school. This approach to teaching using makerspace technologies includes three aspects, all three are included and attended to in the Fab Learning Academy Curriculum.

Distributed education

Fab Learning Academy uses a distributed education model that combines global instruction with local, hands-on learning. Every participant is registered through a Local Learning Node, connecting them to both an international learning community and dedicated support in their own region.

Global Masterclasses: Participants meet online each week with Global Instructors, guest speakers, and educators from across the FLA network. Global instruction focuses on pedagogy, learning theory, innovative practices, and the effective integration of digital fabrication into teaching and learning, along with global assessment and reflection.

Local Learning Node Instruction: Participants work with a Local Instructor who provides hands-on instruction and support with digital fabrication technologies, facilitates weekly workshops, and assesses physical project assignments. Local Learning Nodes provide access to the machines, tools, and materials participants need to complete their work.