3D Printers can be used to print and/or
create novelties such as keychains and chess pieces to necessities such as
nuts, bolts, and prosthetics. I say print or create, because one can select an
item to print from a website with ready-made 3D designs or create an item using
specific 3D software.
The Dremel Idea Builder is considered an entry to mid-level printer as it is simple to use. You can pretty much plug and print straight out of the box with the accompanying, pre-loaded SD card. This printer holds a single color of filament per project, and has a built-in fan to keep the device from overheating. The filament used in this printer is PLA or Polylactic Acid, which is a biodegradable thermoplastic. According to Dremel DigiLab, PLA filament is a good material for beginners as it is easy to use.
The
printer (extruder) uses the free downloadable Dremel DigiLab 3DSlicer, and
Simplify 3D. Both programs can be downloaded from https://digilab.dremel.com/3D-software.
Simplify offers a two-week free trial. Simplify costs $149, and offers more
creating and editing features than DigiLab 3DSlicer. Simplify 3D also allows
the user to see exactly how the extruder will print the project in advance of
printing, which is a great feature.
Dremel's Idea Builder
My school owns
two Dremel Idea Builder Model 3D20 3D Printers. The printers have been used
with students in a non-instructional manner in the past. Students would select
a design from Dremel’s website or the SD Card and a paraprofessional would
print out the design. Using the Replacement, Amplification, and Transformation:
The RAT model, my goal is to transform the way our school uses the 3D
printers. Teachers will receive training and be introduced to the R.A.T. Model,
use of the 3D printer, lesson ideas, and resources. The following R.A.T. example
of technology integration of the 3D printer for a Math or Science lesson demonstrates
how teachers can move behind simple objectives and get the students to be
creative, collaborative thinkers:
R – Replacement: Students brainstorm types of Math manipulatives.
Student select a design to print from DigiLab’s on-line catalog of 3D designs
or the SD Card (i.e, dice). The item printed will be used as a Math
manipulative for measurement (perimeter, area, volume, etc.).
A – Amplification: Students will use the Engineering Design
Process (EDP) to create and print their own design. Students will design a Math
manipulative to use for measuring. Students will measure the final product for
perimeter, area, volume, etc., and will evaluate the measurements of the final
product with the design that drawn by hand and/or using 3D software.
T-
Transformation: Students
use the EDP to create and print 3D Math manipulatives that can be connected for
storage purposes and/or to be interchangeable for various measurement exercises.
Students will measure the final product for perimeter, area, volume, etc., and
will evaluate the measurements of the final product with the design drawn by
hand and/or using 3D software. Students could also create Math questions or
equations for other students to solve using their newly created manipulatives.
Teachers can start using 3D Printers
with a simple guide that provides background information and ready-made lesson ideas
from 3D Insider’s article, 3D Printing Projects for Schools: Tips
for Teachers https://3dinsider.com/3d-printing-schools/.
To ramp up 3D integration, teachers can
include empathy with EDP by becoming a part of the global, collaborative City X
Project. The site is geared for 8 to 12 year olds. Students learn how to solve
real world social problems using a 3D printer, and a fictional character. A
free downloadable educator toolkit and lessons can be found at http://www.cityxproject.com/.
City X Project Overview
Additional sources
and articles
3D Printing Projects for Schools: Tips
for Teachers. (n.d.). 3D Insiders. Retrieved from https://3dinsider.com/3d-printing-schools/
10 Ways 3D Printing
Can Be Used in Education [Infographic]. 2015. Teach Thought. Retrieved from https://www.teachthought.com/technology/10-ways-3d-printing-can-be-used-in-education/
City
X Project - http://www.cityxproject.com/
Dremel DigiLab - https://digilab.dremel.com/products/3d20
Grabcad - https://grabcad.com/
Hughes, J. (n.d.) Replacement, Amplification,
and Transformation: the R.A.T. model Tech
Edges. Retrieved from https://techedges.org/r-a-t-model/
Kane,
K. (2017). 9 amazing ways teachers can use 3D printing to teach math and science.
We are Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.weareteachers.com/3d-printing-math-science/
Sketchup - https://www.sketchup.com/
Simplify3D - https://www.simplify3d.com/
Tinkercad - https://www.tinkercad.com/
I have never used a 3D printer and it kind of intimidates me....as it will a lot of teachers until they use it. What a great idea having them create their own math manipulatives. When I was at the ISTE conference this summer there were a LOT of 3D printer vendors with difference in material used. I would love to take a 3D printing class because I am the type of person that really likes to understand things before I roll them out.
ReplyDeleteI know about 3D printers and I'm constantly amazed when I hear about new things they can do, like creating medical devices or gadgets for everyday use, like a mini drawer for inside of the refrigerator. I like how you explained the three levels in the R.A.T. model by using the same math concept - I also wrote about the R.A.T. model, and I think your explanation will help people who aren't familiar with the model understand it better. I also like how you acknowledged the need for teachers to have training with the 3D printer and how the different levels of integration can impact their teaching.
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