After looking around Thingiverse and printing out something that I personally liked, and thought would be useful, I have come to the conclusion that the sky is the limit for 3D Printers! Websites that allow you to find a product that you would like to have because your interest is heightened by it or that you can ultimately use in your field of choice defend my argument. Not to mention the second website we were introduced to that allowed us create a product of our own has me awestruck! What has me even more awestruck is the article about the 3D Printer that is printing organs for those in need of a donor! (I know I'm getting off subject, but it all relates to the other in retrospect.) As educators, we are constantly searching for ways to help our students better understand what we are teaching them. By using Thingiverse and printing off manipulatives for them to use during whole lessons, centers, or scaffolded instruction/Tier instruction, the better off our students are going to be.
If we can introduce students to 3D Printing early on, maybe it will spark something inside of them that allows them to become more intrigued in the subjects that tend to be the least favorite for the mass majority--math, science, and even history. The Smithsonian article was super neat because students are able to create their own objects directly out of the textbooks they are using in class! Talk about integrating technology into the classroom!
I have already touched base on how you can use 3D Printers in the classroom, but 3D Printers in Schools really breaks down how you can use and apply 3D Printers in math, science, and STEM. I really appreciate how the website talks about accessibility and the implications it has on pupil learning. The TPACK article we previously read mentioned that educators need to be trained in the technology that they're using with their students. This article touches base on the same area. I can easily see how this would motivate young minds and how it would cause them to become more engaged in what they're learning, which is awesome!
I totally agree with you! The idea of printing off an organ is totally mind-blowing! I think you hit it right on the head when you mention that teachers are constantly searching better and new ways to engage students! 3D printers is a great way to do that. It allows so many things, like you mentioned. We have so much at our fingers tips. If you can dream it, you can "print" it. It is so crazy how technology has advanced and how it can benefit so many people in so many different ways!
ReplyDeleteBecause the technology is so relatively new, the greatest impact may come via the introduction of 3D printing into public and private grade schools. The younger a person is, the easier it usually is to introduce new ideas and methodologies. This is why young children are so quick to learn new languages, when compared to their older adult counterparts. This is what makes elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools the perfect place to begin really introducing a curriculum based around 3D printing.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the sky is the limit. Seeing these projects helped me to think about how they could be used. I have several ideas in the making from projects on Thingiverse.
I agree with the article on 3D printing in the school. I do not feel adequate to teach 3D printing. I know they worked with it for several months, but I think it would take me much longer.
I agree with you on the fact that the sky is the limit. 3D printers and just like any other invention possible is just limited as far as the imagination can go. Also I agree that if 3D printers are introduced early on it could be beneficial to interest students in a subject focus.
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