As I read the articles I became
more and more intrigued by the idea of a 3D printer in the ag classroom. I think
that I have made it clear in my previous posts that I am not a big supporter of
all of the technology in a classroom, but I am beginning to come around
somewhat. I still think that technology is being used as too much of a crutch
and kids are suffering because of it, but if and when it is used in the proper setting
it can work.
The 3D printer kind of
sparks my interest because I love building stuff in the ag shop. This device
can open many gateways for my future students by allowing them to be able to
print off a model of their project and they can actually see what it is that
they are building. I think that this definitely changes the game for many ag
teachers. Their ag mechanics programs should be booming after this is
introduced into the shop.
The students will be
exposed to another tool and software system that they will have to learn how to
use to be able to build these projects. I think it will be amazing to see the
kids using these models to build larger scale projects. You can make things
exactly as you want them built and all you have to do is design it and make it
to scale with the software.
I am very fortunate for
having the opportunity to tinker with the 3D printing technology. I will definitely
be pushing the school that I find myself teaching at to have at least one of
these amazing little machines.
Because the technology is so relatively new, the greatest impact may come via the introduction of 3D printing into public and private grade schools. The younger a person is, the easier it usually is to introduce new ideas and methodologies. This is why young children are so quick to learn new languages, when compared to their older adult counterparts. This is what makes elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools the perfect place to begin really introducing a curriculum based around 3D printing.
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