Just recently my district purchased four Makerbot 3D printers to complement our drafting/design program, our new robotics program, our graphics design program, and our instructional technology team. At the end of the day though, I see the 3D printers having quite a far reach in terms of their overall impact.
We received the four printers on a Wednesday around 12:30 in the afternoon. By 2:00 p.m. the same day, students on our WIT (Wildcat instructional technology) team had one machine up and running and we were printing.
Now, to be honest, we've spent a couple days fine-tuning the printers and tweaking and adjusting to learn and explore, but the overall setup and use are rather easy and straight-forward.
Ever since students got the 3D printers up and running, students have been visiting the room where the 3D printers are setup to see them, to try them out, and to find out what all the 'buzz' is about.
Now, to be honest, we've spent a couple days fine-tuning the printers and tweaking and adjusting to learn and explore, but the overall setup and use are rather easy and straight-forward.
Here's the coolest and most exciting part...
Ever since students got the 3D printers up and running, students have been visiting the room where the 3D printers are setup to see them, to try them out, and to find out what all the 'buzz' is about.
Yes, the HS where we have the 3D printers has been literally buzzing with excitement and curiosity as students have been talking about and learning more about the new 3D printers.
We've even had staff members stopping by the room and putting in their own requests for students to design and then print.
The student and teacher excitement about the 3D printers is really becoming infectious and ever since getting the 3D printers they have been running non-stop and the make-request list is only getting longer.
My point with this post is simple... shouldn't students and staff always be this excited about learning?
Shouldn't kids be knocking down the door to learn about new tools, new technologies, and new possibilities and opportunities that allow them to be creative and innovative?
Shouldn't learning always be fun and exciting...?
We've even had staff members stopping by the room and putting in their own requests for students to design and then print.
The student and teacher excitement about the 3D printers is really becoming infectious and ever since getting the 3D printers they have been running non-stop and the make-request list is only getting longer.My point with this post is simple... shouldn't students and staff always be this excited about learning?
Shouldn't kids be knocking down the door to learn about new tools, new technologies, and new possibilities and opportunities that allow them to be creative and innovative?
Shouldn't learning always be fun and exciting...?