The present Report contains the results of an action-research developed in the context of the OD&M Project (A Knowledge Alliance between Higher Education Institutions, Makers and Manufacturers to boost Open Design & Manufacturing in Europe), funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Programme, Knowledge Alliances strand. The main objective of the research was to analyse how and to what extent the emerging open design and manufacturing paradigm (OD&M) is currently becoming the ground of progressive convergence and synergy between Universities, enterprises and maker communities, and how this ‘knowledge triangle’ is collaborating towards the creation of effective and meaningful value chains of innovation.
The research started by investigating the key competences and skills that presently
characterise the ‘maker profile’, in order to draw a general picture of how these are
developed, in which contexts, and through which particular teaching and learning processes.
Further, the research explored existing experiences of making-related initiatives promoted or partnered by Universities, and discussed with Higher Education’s representatives the drivers, barriers and possible scenarios stemming from the introduction of making education within formal learning. Then, the research involved professional makers and OD&M enterprises (i.e. enterprises that show strong and direct connections with the open design and manufacturing paradigm) in order to get an in depht understanding of how making-related values, skills and competences are contributing to shape and inform their businesses. Lastly, the research explored the perceptions and opinions of ‘traditional’ companies regarding these topics, and discussed with them the potential risks and benefits that may emerge for them from the OD&M paradigm.
Indeed, the different levels of maturity of the maker movement – and, more generally, of the open design and manufacturing paradigm – in the different countries, poses clear challenges in the implementation of this type of research; on the other hand, it reflects the reality of an emerging phenomenon and points to both the challenges of a common path, and the opportunities of building common experimentations at European level.
Contents
Introduction
Methodology
CHAPTER 1. The Maker Movement: Values and Principles
1.1 - The emergence of Makerspaces and Open Design and Manufacturing
1.2 - Values and principles of the Maker Movement
1.3 - Makers and makerspaces in the pilot countries of the OD&M project
CHAPTER 2. Makers: skills, competences and learning contexts
2.1 - Makers’ skills and competences: an overview
2.2 - Makers and formal learning
2.3 - Makers and non-formal learning
2.4 - Makers and informal learning
CHAPTER 3. Open Design and Manufacturing: points of view and perceptions of enterprises
3.1 - Innovative enterprises and open design and manufacturing
3.2 - Traditional enterprises and open design and manufacturing
Conclusions
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Annex: Country Reports
- United Kingdom (UK)
- Spain
- Poland
- Italy