First, we define a new didactics and then 3D printers.
It’s been several months that I have been thinking about what can be taught with a 3D printer. It’s not easy and after hours of discussion and brainstorming with colleagues from other schools, I came to the conclusion that everything is still to be explored or almost.
Conceptually, I believe it is possible to introduce 3D printing in every school level, from kindergarten to high schools and technical institutes, but only and only if the introduction of the tool is accompanied by solid educational programs specifically designed to enhance its didactic use and not just to “learn how to use the tool”. The maker culture advances and innovates traditional didactics based on mere nozionism.
Schools and society don’t need skilled 3D printer technicians, but rather students accustomed to a “problem-solving” approach.
And 3D printers – like robotics, Arduino, and the maker philosophy in general – are able to develop this approach. Just attend a competitive robotics competition where schools participate, to realize that when technology is used to reinforce the learning of normal school subjects, the results are surprising. Especially when we overcome the prejudice that these tools are only useful for technical institutes. Through software like Doodle3D and Tinkercad, it is possible to start working from kindergarten and then grow up to high school, defining tasks suitable for the students’ age for each school level.
We’re here. Now the printer has arrived at the school where I teach and I have enough ideas, but honestly, I would like the ideas to be those of the students, who are much more intelligent than we imagine.
Here is the forum dedicated to 3D printing, just opened.
Forum of makers with 3D printers
Good work and good sharing.
YouTube Embed v5.2.3 The YouTube ID of 0wWG_3MeyH