Rationale
The 2016 Horizon Report highlighted that 3D printing will have a massive impact on education, particularity in the STEM areas in the next 3-5 years (see full excerpt from report here)
As "Technology Outlook: STEM+ Education 2013-2018" stated, 3D printing is relevant in teaching and learning as a way to enable "more authentic exploration of objects that may not be readily available" to teachers and students; it provides a means to let students handle "fragile objects," such as fossils and artifacts that can be fairly quickly prototyped and printed out; and it opens up "new possibilities for learning activities."
3D printing will revolutionise learning because it lends itself to low-risk, low-cost innovation with immediate feedback. Since ideas can materialise within minutes, students can see their work as tangible products both in terms of successes and failures. Prototyping is no longer the realm of Research &Development Departments and manufacture no longer needs to occur on the assembly line. When students have access to 3D printing, abstract concepts in science and mathematics have the potential to be transformed into concrete (plastic) visuals.
Students will begin to see objects differently — “That’s cool! I want to buy that.” becomes “That’s cool, but I can design that better.” Students will be transformed from passive consumers of goods to actively-engaged inventors who are in control of their own learning. 3D printing also allows students to interact with a global network of creators. Designers around the world upload files to be shared with other printing enthusiasts, and students will be able to contribute to this exchange. The will be users, editors, collaborators and contributors to this ever-growing network of creative designs ideas and solutions.
Adapted from: http://www.edudemic.com/3d-printing-in-the-classroom/
So what can 3D printing do help revolutionaries learning in the classroom?
As "Technology Outlook: STEM+ Education 2013-2018" stated, 3D printing is relevant in teaching and learning as a way to enable "more authentic exploration of objects that may not be readily available" to teachers and students; it provides a means to let students handle "fragile objects," such as fossils and artifacts that can be fairly quickly prototyped and printed out; and it opens up "new possibilities for learning activities."
3D printing will revolutionise learning because it lends itself to low-risk, low-cost innovation with immediate feedback. Since ideas can materialise within minutes, students can see their work as tangible products both in terms of successes and failures. Prototyping is no longer the realm of Research &Development Departments and manufacture no longer needs to occur on the assembly line. When students have access to 3D printing, abstract concepts in science and mathematics have the potential to be transformed into concrete (plastic) visuals.
Students will begin to see objects differently — “That’s cool! I want to buy that.” becomes “That’s cool, but I can design that better.” Students will be transformed from passive consumers of goods to actively-engaged inventors who are in control of their own learning. 3D printing also allows students to interact with a global network of creators. Designers around the world upload files to be shared with other printing enthusiasts, and students will be able to contribute to this exchange. The will be users, editors, collaborators and contributors to this ever-growing network of creative designs ideas and solutions.
Adapted from: http://www.edudemic.com/3d-printing-in-the-classroom/
So what can 3D printing do help revolutionaries learning in the classroom?
- 3D printing ignites the imagination of students
- 3D printers improve CAD software proficiency - students can now test their designs and evaluate the pro
- 3D printers result in tangible objects for many curricular – these objects can be used over and over again and provide cheap models (heart, frog dissection etc)
- 3D printing can aid in the development of spatial intelligence – this allows for complex mathematical equation to be made into tangible objects that can be manipulated
- A 3D model can bridge an important gap – a 3D printed object held in the hands of the student-designer can bridge the gap between simple visual perception and three-dimensional spatial visualisation, and therefore incite a paradigm shift.
- 3D printers are now affordable
- 3D printers introduce students to modern additive manufacturing processes – 3D printing allows students to experience first hand the design, prototyping and manufacturing process.
- 3D printing brings real world problems and solutions into the classroom.
- 3D printing allows students to not only learn about innovation, invention, design and manufacturer but they can now become innovators, inventors, designers and manufacturers within the realm of the classroom while interacting with and contributing to a global network of designers.
