Essential question: How can 3D printing change the way we think about education? What is 3D printing and how does it work? I will first start out with what is 3D printing? I never know what I can do with something until I understand it. According to Barnatt (2016) 3D printing "turns digital 3D models into solid objects by building them up in layers." There are some different models but they all go through a similar process. "All start with a computer aided design (CAD) model or a digital scan. This is then processed by 'slicing software' that divides the object into thin cross sections that are printed out one on top of the other." The video below does a great job explaining the process of 3D printing and what it can be used for. What types of objects can 3D printing produce and is this a good thing? Some common items that could be produce "include medical implants, jewelry, football boots designed for individual feet, lampshades, racing-car parts, solid-state batteries and customized mobile phones" ("The Printed World", 2011). According to Federico-O'Murchu (2014) in the future we may see more bio-printed organs, more manufacturing domestically, and maybe even producing food just to name a few of the things 3D printing can offer. This could help save on shipping costs since items could be made wherever a 3D pinter is available. 3D printing definitely offers a lot of options but the impacts are unknown. The question is will all of this be good, and what are the impacts down the line? There is no research for the food aspect as to what impacts 3D printed food would have on the body down the line. Also with 3D printing guns could be produced. This opens a whole new set of problems especially with all of the violence taking place today. Enough about the bad news, why is this a good thing? According to "The Printed World" (2011) "engineers and designers have been using 3D printers for more than a decade, but mostly to make prototypes quickly and cheaply before they embark on the expensive business of tooling up a factory to produce the real thing." This helps in the design process as new products can be made a refined more quickly. How can 3D printing be of benefit to education? According to the Leapfrog 3D printing website "3D Printing For Education" (n.d.), 3D printers help prepare students for the future and the careers that might have. There are 4 main benefits of teaching 3D printing in school listed on their page:
What do I see as the benefit of 3D printing in education? For me, I see 3D printing really adding to the maker movement and philosophy. Students can start to connect by hands on investigation. We could use 3D printing to try to solve real world problems. One of the main benefits is the rapid prototyping of 3D printers as mentioned by Barnatt (2016). With this rapid prototyping students can come up with and idea and make their idea come to life. Students can see this object and troubleshoot and redesign, all within a relatively short period of time. This really reinforces the growth mindset, in the mistakes are okay and that getting better is what is important. Not necessarily getting the right answer. I think we will see students willing to take risks and try harder than they would've with current teaching methods, of a more passive learner. I think students will take a more active role in their education which means they will learn more than we as teachers could ever teach them on our own. Sources
3D Printing For Education. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2016, from http://www.lpfrg.com/en/professionals/education/ Barnatt, C. (2016, April 22). ExplainingTheFuture.com : 3D Printing. Retrieved June 30, 2016, from http://explainingthefuture.com/3dprinting.html Federico-O'Murchu, L. (2014, May 11). How 3-D printing will radically change the world. Retrieved June 30, 2016, from http://www.cnbc.com/2014/05/09/will-3-d-technology-radically-change-the-world.html The Printed World. (2011, February 12). Retrieved June 30, 2016, from http://www.economist.com/node/18114221
6 Comments
Jessica Marks
6/30/2016 02:04:34 pm
I enjoyed your video link and article. I had not considered the educational philosophy behind 3D printing. It very much fits into maker space, allowing our students the time, space and autonomy to tinker, take risks, be creative, problem solve and conquer! Great blog!
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Sara Lucas
7/3/2016 02:53:27 pm
Thanks! It was all my after thoughts. I read and typed up mostly a summary but then felt like it didn't capture my opinion.
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7/3/2016 12:25:51 pm
Your paragraph about the benefit of 3D printing on education really hit home with me. First you said, "3D printing really adding to the maker movement and philosophy." I think this is so key. To me it is another tool or another aid to offer students as they follow their interests and construct knowledge. You also mention using 3D printers to solve real problems, which I think helps students see the relevance in their learning and definitely leads to an increased motivation. This along with adopting a growth mindset and praising improvement rather than the correct answer like you mentioned would lend to such a motivating student-centered environment in the classroom. So awesome!
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Sara Lucas
7/3/2016 02:55:03 pm
Now if only it were that easy to implement in the classroom. I love the idea, but I will definitely need to work on where it fits in my curriculum.
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Josie Leach
7/3/2016 03:31:26 pm
Hi Sara L,
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Camille Varin
7/5/2016 07:55:21 pm
Thanks for linking 3D printing to a growth mindset. I think that is a really important aspect of a technology like this.
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