With the continuous popularity of 3D printers, more and more fields in China have begun to use 3D printing technology to improve work efficiency. Among them, the demand for 3D printers in education accounts for a large proportion, and a large part of the purchases come from schools. Especially college.
Why is the demand for 3D printers in the education industry so great? What are the applications of 3D printers in the education industry and what is their significance? What 3D printing can bring to the education field is not only the experience of new technologies but also a change in the education model.
Facts have shown that some students who do not perform well in traditional education do so mainly because they are not interested in courses that are too theoretical. Although they can pass the exam by rote memorization of abstract concepts, many knowledge points will be quickly forgotten after the exam. 3D printing can make abstract courses concrete, and the visual and tactile learning methods can make boring courses come alive, which is very tempting. In tactile learning, students do not simply look at text or graphics on a blackboard or monitor, but grasp the three-dimensional model of core concepts through their sense of touch. This can help students absorb and digest knowledge, preventing them from easily forgetting what they have learned. course.
It is understood that in the United States, almost all schools offer 3D printing courses. In the past two years, more and more schools in our country have begun to explore the application of 3D printing technology in the field of education, and the applications have become more and more diversified. Teachers can not only use 3D printing models for teaching but also use this technology to train students’ creativity, allowing them to quickly verify design concepts, and make and modify models.
for example:
In mathematics classes, printing out a model of a geometric body can help students more intuitively understand the connection between the various elements within the geometry.
In art classes, it has become a reality to turn graphic design works into 3D versions of artworks and some basic models.
In chemistry classes, teachers can print out molecular models and display them, which will help students understand the process of chemical reactions; in biology classes, printing out cells, viruses, organs, and other important biological samples is much more intuitive than floor plans.
DNA’s molecular structure
In geography classes, you can print models of topography, climate formation factors, etc. Wouldn’t it be better than teachers conveying knowledge to students by drawing out of thin air?
In history classes, you can print out some models of cultural relics and historical figures to help students better understand “taking history as a mirror.”
In terms of professional design, innovative learners can study and experiment with course content, such as architecture, medicine, biology, automotive engineering, painting, graphic design, historical archaeology, etc.
For example, if the school has to buy the frog anatomy model separately, it may be troublesome. However, if the biology teacher is more thoughtful and prints out a model to explain, I think the teaching effect may be better.
In majors such as mechanical design and industrial design, 3D printers can directly create appearance prototypes, allowing students to evaluate their designs in three-dimensional form; models of any complexity can be produced, and these models can be sandblasted and painted as Replicas of production models.
Most of the current 3D printing education models tend to be entry-level education in 3D printing technology, which does not involve advanced knowledge in CAD modeling, laser science, materials science, simulation optimization, and other fields. For introductory education on 3D printing, the focus is not on the 3D printing technology itself. 3D printing technology has become a way for students to realize their creative abilities and imagination.
University academic education will not be limited to how to operate and develop industrial-grade 3D printing equipment itself but will become an interdisciplinary subject focusing on the entire 3D printing ecosystem. Xiao Ao believes that if technology wants to make breakthroughs, it must first have a large number of interested people, and students are undoubtedly the best group. They are quite curious and creative. Through progressive research on technology, they come up with their ideas and creativity. Coupled with the power of continuous technological development, this will promote the further development of 3D printing technology.
