In the last few years, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DISI) has started to innovate its educational approach, both inside and outside the University. One of the main components of this innovation effort is the FabLab, a makerspace/hackerspace/educational environment whose goal is to promote an active and personal approach to learning based on the participation of students in extracurricular activities, such as hackathons, design and programming competitions, learning clubs, etc. Linked to this, some of these activities are brought outside, in schools, fairs, squares, with the help of students and in cooperation with cultural associations.
The pedagogical framework behind this approach is examined in depth in the Laboratory of Computer Science Education module, a 6-ECTS course for students who want to pursue a career in teaching; not surprisingly, the course is based on an active approach, based on flipped classroom, student discussion, lab activities, group projects, peer feedback and assessment etc.

The presentation will highlight the positive outcomes of both the FabLab’s activities and the Module  but also examine the problems encountered and reflections on the ways they can be enhanced.