Status and Consulting Needs of K-12 Maker Education at Korean National Schools

Republic of Korea promotes maker education as a policy to enhance learners' engineering experience and problem -solving ability. This study was conducted for the purpose of examining the status of maker education operation and consulting needs of national elementary, middle, and high schools in Korea. To achieve this purpose, the research team operated the supportive group for maker education policy and collected and analyzed related data by conducting online and offline consulting, workshops, and surveys for maker education in all national schools (32 schools in total). The status of maker education is as follows. First, the student participation rate for maker education was high, but the teacher participation rate was relatively low. Second, the makerspace is built with an area of 1.5 to 2 times that of a general classroom, and supports various activities such as woodworking, digital manufacturing, software, and storytelling. Third, the makerspace is equipped with various equipment to support the activities of learners. Fourth, the maker education is centered on technology, science, and information subjects. Fifth, teachers generally perceive the effect of maker education positively. The consulting requirements of maker education are as follows. First, teachers have difficulties in securing and reorganizing space. Second, teachers have difficulties in purchasing and managing materials, tools, and equipment related to the curriculum. Third, teachers requested various maker education programs that can be applied to the curriculum. Fourth, teachers are paying a lot of attention to the safety issues of makerspaces. Fifth, teachers suggested the need to increase the understanding of maker education among school members. Given the implications of the study, the establishment of a systematic support system for maker education, the preparation of a curriculum for engineering experience, and the development of equipment making tools suitable for schools were recommended.