Students love 3D printing. It’s amazing how quickly they get into it. Sometimes, while we’re teaching, we have at least one student who wants nothing to do with the work in front of him or her. They refuse to do it. They’d rather eat the paper. But with 3D printing, they’re so interested in it. There’s never a dull moment. The students gravitate towards all the projects.
Having a 3D printer directly in your classroom allows your students to become creative all the time. I mean it. They’re always willing to put in the work if it means they can create a 3D print.
“But Julia, doesn’t that make students lose interest?” Nope. I have been in a classroom for the entire year a printer was integrated into the curriculum. For every subject. And every student never lost interest. Granted, they didn’t print every day. The printer might be running each day, but the students also have other items in a lesson to complete before they can print. It’s all about balance. Find your happy medium and print with it!
And don’t forget: having student voice in some of your 3D printing decisions is a great idea. That makes the students feel like they are in control of their learning, which is exactly what they should be learning!
