3D Printing Reflection

Above is a photo of the keychain that I designed on Tinkercad.

This week, we had the opportunity to work with 3D printing technology in the library. This was a fun and interactive class that allowed for a lot of engagement. We started class by learning how to navigate the Tinkercad website, where we designed our own 3D projects. The website was easy to navigate as a beginner with only a few setbacks throughout my formatting. 

3D design is a unique and innovative tool in terms of language revitalization. It allows us to create symbols and letters that are not accessible through keyboards. Although the letters and symbols could be presented by drawings and prints, 3D models allow for a hands-on experience while looking at these topics. This encourages more student engagement and understanding. An example of this is using 3D printers to create Indigenous dialects that can be brought to class and incorporated into lessons. The University of Alberta provides an example of this by creating and supplying 3D printed Cree syllables in kits that are accessible through their library. Learn more about their approach here

Using 3D design and print in elementary grades has many upsides and downsides. When working with these machines in an elementary setting, it is important to educate students of the safety precautions that must be taken. It is easy to be burnt or pinched while accessing projects and some machines can be hard to turn off or override when needed. While teaching in primary grades, platforms like Tinkercad could be useful as a teacher resource, but I do not think they would be fit for a student resource. This is because of the complexity of the programs and the process of getting the 3D object to the machine for printing. As a teacher, it could be beneficial for creating classroom tools and activities. It can create game pieces, die, fidget toys, decorations, and more that can add excitement to primary classrooms. In secondary grades, the programs could be quite useful in various classes. I see the purpose in including 3D printing lessons into elective classes like intro to engineering, art, media arts, and tech ed. Although it is not an essential skill, it is useful and entertaining to students interested in further pursuing digital arts or programming. 

 Below is a video discussing the safety measures that should be taken around 3D printers: