How to Teach 3D Printing in Distance-Learning Classrooms

By Devin Partida

Photo by ZMorph All-in-One 3D Printers on Unsplash

As 3D printing technology continues to develop, it’s no surprise that more educational institutions are teaching students how to use it to their advantage.

3D printing is found in various career fields, so introducing children to it at a young age can help them identify what they’d be interested in doing as they grow older. Educators must be trained and informed about this technology to pass their knowledge on to generations that will eventually make up the workforce.

As the pandemic continues to impact all facets of our lives, some K-12 schools are adopting hybrid learning models — where students participate both in-person and online. Many educators had to learn new technologies to accommodate this change and adapt to new learning platforms.

3D printing is a growing technology with various applications that will likely become commonplace in educational institutions. One of its significant benefits is the ability to create models using remote software.

For example, if a student creates a model on their home computer, it can be sent to the school for the final printing phase. Teachers can then provide feedback in-person, through email, or on a learning platform, like Moodle or Blackboard.

You may be wondering how to teach students about 3D printing outside the classroom. Here are some alternative methods and how you can assist students with this new academic topic.

Is the implementation of 3D printing in education a necessity?

Recently, 3D printing in education has become more widely known. Despite 3D printing being relatively new on the mainstream market, more and more 3D printers and applications of 3D technology are being found. The leading 3D printing manufacturers have already developed specialised machines for children and printers to cover educational needs.

Nowadays the importance of the inclusion of 3D printing in professional degrees and in schools is already a fact. Since training is essential for the application and implementation of professional 3D technology, especially for the industry it is a professional necessity. However, when it comes to the use of 3D printing in education, questions arise: Is 3D printing really established in education? How to get the application of 3D technologies in schools and why should it play an important role for our children?

How to Use 3D Printing in STEM Classes

Gone are the days when students could only print on traditional two-dimensional paper. The world of 3D printing is opening up new doors in the classroom setting. With the invention of this technology, teachers can bring lessons to life in a new way that was previously inaccessible. Most classes could benefit from the addition of a 3D printer, but STEM classes can uniquely utilize this new opportunity. The ability to design and physically create small models can be invaluable in these STEM-based courses.

How can educators make the most of the 3D printer in their classroom? Here are just a few ways that this technology can create a more realistic and hands-on lesson to further a child’s grasp of essential concepts.

7 Educational Uses for 3D printing

When someone says that they have a 3D printer, many people visualize a printer that produces 3D images on a sheet of paper. In actuality, a 3D printer goes beyond an image on paper and brings the object to life in real 3D. Layer by layer, the 3D printer can replicate images created in CAD programs. Any creation in supported design programs can be brought into the real world. What are some educational values of the 3D printer?

4 benefits of 3D printing for schools

With the growing importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects, 3D printing has taken on greater interest in schools across the world.

So what benefits can this technology offer schools in the new year?

6 Ways 3D Printing Helps Students Develop Critical Thinking Skills

To thrive in the 21^st century our students need to be able to collaborate effectively with others, identify and develop innovative solutions to problems and challenges, and know how to think creatively and critically.

So, what is critical thinking? Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and logically and to apply reasoning processes to ideas and situations. Critical thinkers ask questions and challenge information they are presented with. They seek to understand information from a range of perspectives, rather than jumping to conclusions and taking everything at face value.

Here we will look at ways that 3D design and printing can help our students develop these skills.