With an estimated $24 billion in sales and over a billion consumers, the education market is ripe for 3D printing adoption. The market is large enough to support a wide range of educational solutions that work within the system to maximize resources. As a result, many K-12 schools are adopting 3D printers as quickly as possible.
It’s not always easy to adapt to all the different types of 3D Printers available and how they can be used effectively in education. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on it. Here are three simple ways you can integrate 3D Printing into your school or classroom education program:
3D Printing in the Classroom: Why Is It important?
3D printing is important in the classroom because it allows students to engage with complex concepts in a way that is more directly applicable to their lives. There is no better way to explain the concept of gravity than to walk up to the board and print out a model of a satellite. Kids can see the relationship between math and real-world applications like this.
3D printing also allows students to express themselves creatively and create something that was previously only in their minds. 3D printing can help students develop critical thinking skills by challenging them to question what they know, expand their knowledge through research, and create practical applications of new ideas.
Teach 3D Printing in Schools
Teachers and students can use 3D printing to create in-class projects suited for specific curricula. From hands-on activities to outside-the-box thinking, 3D printing can help students get more out of each class period.
If you live in a school district that allows this, then you have tons of ideas on how you can use 3D printing in your classroom. You can print out and use the Classroom 3D Printing Guide to get started. Start by printing out materials that are appropriate for your class and your curriculum.
Use 3D Printing as a Tool for Learning
3D printing in schools can be used as a learning tool to teach both technical and non-technical skills. For example, you can use 3D printing to teach students how to design products or create 3D models. You can also use 3D printing to inspire creativity and encourage critical thinking.
Using tools like Google SketchUp or the 123D design app, you can teach students to create 3D models based on real-world objects. You can also use 3D printing to inspire creativity and encourage critical thinking.
3D Printing Software for Educators
With a 3D printer, educators can easily create 3D objects from scratch using software that has been provided by the printer manufacturer. Several 3D printing software platforms are available to educators, depending on the platform’s flexibility and compatibility with the device being used. Educators may also use their own custom software.
3D Design and Printing for Architectural Models
Architectural models are a common part of architectural courses and are also used in interior design and construction courses. However, many architects and designers do not have access to traditional modeling tools such as chalk, soft clay, or plaster.
With the growing interest in 3D printing, it is possible to create 3D models that can be used to create physical models. These models can be used for education, training, or modeling. 3D printing can also be used to create models of specific buildings and structures that can be used as a reference when designing a new structure.
3D Design and Printing for instructional materials
Some educators use 3D printing for creating educational resources such as textbooks, worksheets, and instructional materials. This can be done using software such as Sketchfab. 3D printing can also be used to create and modify models such as for robotics, engineering, architecture, and other disciplines.
3D printing and CAD systems can be used to create instructional materials for a wide range of subjects including STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts.
3D Printing for Simulations and Exercises
Simulations and exercises are an important part of learning many different subjects and 3D printing can be used to create models that can be used as simulations. This includes subjects such as engineering, architecture, and healthcare simulations. With the growing interest in VR, it is also possible to create 3D-printed models that can be used as part of VR environments.
3D Printing in Training Sessions
Training sessions can benefit from the use of 3D printers. This is especially true for businesses and industries that use training to help employees learn new skills, or for addressing skills gaps in other areas of business and industry.
Simulators and training equipment are often expensive and difficult to update. 3D printing can be used to create training materials and resources that are cheaper and more easily updated. 3D Printing can also be used to create models for training simulations and exercises.
The Future of 3D Printing in Education
The future of 3D printing in education is bright. New methods of delivery are helping to increase the accessibility of 3D printing to more people. There are printing services that offer on-demand 3D printing at a low cost. As well, the variety of materials being developed will help to meet a wide range of needs.
Conclusion
3D printing is catching on in education thanks to its potential to impact the learning process by mending broken pedagogical systems. The technology is already being used to create architectural models, design and print instructional materials, and create simulations and exercises. Future advancements are expected to further expand its use in education.
