Stimulating Minds: 3D Printing Shines As A Learning Tool

IMTS

Share this Article

shutterstock_199681517Giving high-school students access to 3D design and printing equipment seems to have a profound, positive effect on learning and communication, according to a pilot study in Greece.

The project ties in with a theory called constructionist learning – first put forward by eminent mathematician and computer scientist Seymour Papert – which suggests people learn things most effectively when they construct mental models to understand the world around them.

Taking the idea a stage further, the researchers provided access to an open-source 3D printer and design platform, allowing students to collaboratively design and create tangible objects in the real word.  This could certainly make the approach even more powerful.

“We asked what role could 3D printing and design, along with modern information and communications technology (ICT), play in developing and implementing new educational ideas based on the principles of constructionism,” say the researchers from the Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia.

More than 30 high school students aged 15-16 were given a crash course in 3D designs and printing using the equipment provided, and were then encouraged to create 3D-printed artifacts that were novel, usable and – if desired – could be designed for use by blind children.

“The children were expected to think creatively; experiment; adapt and perform creatively in small-groups, pairs or even individually,” note the researchers.

Timer_3dPAll told, 17 artefacts were printed by the students during the ‘project course’ – a two-hour weekly lesson included in the Greek curriculum for research-based projects. In all but three cases the children opted to design the items with blind people in mind. Examples included a 3D comic book, a Braille version of the Sudoku puzzle game, a cup with the message ‘drink me’ inscribed in Braille and a Rubik’s cube with Braille language letters instead of colours.

Another group designed and created a variation on an hourglass, which used marbles instead of sand to produce sound and allow a blind user to count the passage of time.

The project helped students “think differently than they did previously and, thus, see the world differently,” write the authors in the journal Telematics and Informatics (article in press).

A teacher from one of the schools that took part in the project, Loukianos Xaxiris, said the project also helped with issues, such as a lack of engagement by students.

“My class consisted of generally uncooperative, especially concerning the project course, students who – surprisingly enough – were very willing to engage in this particular project,” he told the researchers.

That sentiment was echoed by a teacher from the second school, Christos Bitsis, who said: ” this change is a result of children’s increased connection with the world … followed by an increase in their self-esteem.”

While the experiment was a success, the researchers did uncover one problem. It was great that two schools were happy to embrace the initiative, but the directors of several others “seemed unable to comprehend our goals and [were] unwilling to cooperate.”

The team now calls for more research in this area making use, not only of open-source 3D printing, but also other open source hardware such as Arduino microcontrollers.

We may be on the cusp of radical changes within our education systems around the world.  3D printing promises to play a major role.  Let us know your thoughts on this story and others related to 3D printing in education, in the 3D printing for education forum on 3DPB.com.

shutterstock_199370258

 

 

Share this Article


Recent News

Liquid Metal 3D Printing Sector Emerges with Fluent Metal’s $5.5M Investment

3DPOD Episode 191: Amy Alexander, 3D Printing at the Mayo Clinic



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

3DPOD Episode 190: Generative Design for 3D Printing with Novineer CEO Ali Tamijani

Ali Tamijani, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has an extensive background in composites, tool pathing, and the development of functional 3D printed parts,...

Featured

3DPOD Episode 189: AMUG President Shannon VanDeren

Shannon VanDeren is a consultant in the 3D printing industry, focusing on implementation and integration for her company, Layered Manufacturing and Consulting. For nearly ten years, she has been involved...

3DPOD Episode 188: Clare Difazio of E3D – Growing the Industry, and Growing With the Industry

Clare DiFazio’s journey into the 3D printing industry was serendipitous, yet her involvement at critical moments has significantly influenced the sector. Her position as Head of Marketing & Product Strategy...

Featured

Printing Money Episode 15: 3D Printing Markets & Deals, with AM Research and AMPOWER

Printing Money returns with Episode 15! This month, NewCap Partners‘ Danny Piper is joined by Scott Dunham, Executive Vice President of Research at Additive Manufacturing (AM) Research, and Matthias Schmidt-Lehr,...