Why To Get Started With 3D Printing In The Classroom?

Morning News Round 2 By Sabri Elamin

ED 6620

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.

The creation of a 3D printed object is achieved using additive processes. In an additive process an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the entire object is created.

Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced horizontal cross-section of the eventual object.

According to Schaffhauser(2013): 3Dprinting 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."

How does 3D Printing work?

The website 3d printing .com describe how 3D printing work : It all starts with making a virtual design of the object you want to create. This virtual design is made in a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file using a 3D modelling program (for the creation of a totally new object) or with the use of a 3D scanner (to copy an existing object).

A 3D scanner makes a 3D digital copy of an object. 3d scanners use different technologies to generate a 3d model such as time-of-flight, structured / modulated light, volumetric scanning and many more.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCLCLnYnjxMgCFQp2PgodmGwFdw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thevillageworkshop.com%2Fhow-does-3d-printing-work.html&psig=AFQjCNGIfi4GrWxLYvB7MQ_mRfeizvCdZQ&ust=1445008697857891

Applications of 3D printing:

The web site of 3D printing state that the general Applications of 3D printing include rapid prototyping, architectural scale models & maquettes, healthcare (3d printed prosthetics and printing with human tissue) and entertainment (e.g. film props).

Other examples of 3D printing would include reconstructing fossils in paleontology, replicating ancient artifacts in archaeology, reconstructing bones and body parts in forensic pathology and reconstructing heavily damaged evidence acquired from crime scene investigations.

Usage 3D Printing in Classroom:

According to Martha Slack (2014) 3D printing will revolutionize learning because it lends itself to low-risk, low-cost innovation. Since ideas can materialize within minutes, students can see their work as tangible products. When students have access to 3D printing, abstract concepts in science and mathematics have the potential to be transformed into concrete (plastic) visuals.

• Sue Poremba (2015) in her article “ Finding purpose for 3D printers in schools” she state ways that 3D printing offers to help student in class: “3 D printing offers multiple ways for students to get hands-on experience and to gain marketable skills before leaving high school.

Why To Get Started With 3D Printing In The Classroom?

3D Printing enable student to explore and try new things, and enable them to remove fear, instead it embodies them with confidence to venture into the unknown. Educators and students a like an exploring the different ways that 3D printers can influence and enhance the learning in the classroom.

 

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCLCLnYnjxMgCFQp2PgodmGwFdw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thevillageworkshop.com%2Fhow-does-3d-printing-work.html&psig=AFQjCNGIfi4GrWxLYvB7MQ_mRfeizvCdZQ&ust=1445008697857891

References :

 • Martha Slack(2014) How And Why To Get Started With 3D Printing In The Classroom.  

               Retrivied from   http://www.edudemic.com/3d-printing-in-the-classroom/ • Schaffhauser(2013) 3d-printing-in-the-classroom-5-tips-for-bringing-new-dimensions-to-

your-          students-experiences. Retrieved from :  https://thejournal.com/articles/2013/12/11/3d-                  printing-in-the-classroom-5-tips-for-bringing-new-dimensions-to-your-students-experiences.aspx

• Sue Poremba (2015) in her article “ Finding purpose for 3D printers in schools”  Retrieved from:                            http://www.districtadministration.com/article/finding-purpose-3d-printers- schools

• http://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/#whatitis • http://3dprintingsystems.com/education/