Author: kgullackson

In the video MatterHackers Minute: Developing 3D Printing Curriculum in K-12 Education, Rebecca Buckhoff, a Technology Professional Development Specialist for Moreno Valley Unified School District, discusses designing 3D printing curricula for students and training teachers to facilitate these lessons. To learn more HERE.

Video Make a Snowflake 2019v with Tinkercad + 3D printing | 3D modeling how to make

Rebecca introduces concepts such as geometry, including perimeter, area, and XYZ graphing, to 2nd and 5th graders in the context of snowflakes. She explores the science behind snowflakes at the molecular level, the math of six-sided geometry, and the concept of rotational symmetry, where an object looks the same when rotated. Students use Tinkercad, a 3D design program, to create their own snowflakes based on the concepts they’ve learned, which are then 3D printed.

I believe using 3D printing as a cross-curricular tool is effective for teaching students skills while also providing behavioural and social-emotional support throughout the process. Students collaborate and seek help when needed, developing skills that can prepare them for future careers in fields like technology, medicine, product development, or art.

When considering the use of 3D design and printing in a Grade 3 classroom, there are several potential pros and cons to weigh. On the positive side, 3D design fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while also helping students develop a range of practical skills. It encourages creativity and allows students to learn by choice, exploring topics at their own pace. Additionally, it offers cross-curricular learning opportunities, enabling students to engage with multiple subjects simultaneously, such as math, science, and art.

However, there are also challenges to consider. 3D printers can be costly, and there may be a limited number of teachers trained to use the machines effectively. Technical issues, such as printing errors and mechanical problems, can disrupt lessons. Furthermore, some students may experience anxiety when facing difficulties with the design process or the technology itself.

I think by the age of 8 (Grade 3), many kids have a strong understanding of how to use technology, which makes tools like H5P ideal for classroom learning. I believe H5P can significantly enhance interactive learning, allowing students to engage with lessons in fun and meaningful ways.

For example, I can use H5P to create video and audio content to teach math concepts like multiplication, division, and fractions. With H5P, students can learn at their own pace, customize their experience by changing the language, slowing down videos, or adding closed captions, making it inclusive for different learning styles.

The H5P website is a helpful resource to learn, how interactive video tutorials can be used and provides instructions on how to use them. It provides easy-to-follow instructions, which helped me understand how to add interactive elements like Multiple Choice Questions , True and False, Photos, Links making learning more engaging.

In the Journal Article , “Revolutionizing Pedagogy: The Influence of H5P (HTML5 Package) Tools on Student Academic Achievement and Self-Efficacy“, the study compared H5P tools to conventional teaching methods to determine how they affected students’ grades and confidence in learning German as a second language (Author(s), 2024). It found that students using H5P performed better and gained more confidence (Author(s), 2024). The research shows that H5P tools can improve both academic success and self-assurance.

I’ve included an example of my video, “How to Buy on Amazon,” with H5P tools added below. While I initially struggled to get the hang of H5P, it’s proven to be a valuable resource. H5P allows me to integrate quizzes or interactive elements directly into lessons, testing student comprehension in real time. This tool has become especially useful since many learning environments have shifted online due to Covid-19, giving teachers flexibility when remote teaching is necessary.

We need to reimagine education, as the current educational system has been outdated for over 100 years. Education is constantly evolving, and the existing methods are approaching redundancy. Exams that constitute high percentage of students’ grades do not accurately reflect what they have learned. Many students spend hours memorizing and cramming information before exams to achieve an A+, only to forget everything once the exam is over. Like Jeff Hopkins suggests in the video,” Education as if People Mattered”, we offer courses in subjects like Science, Math, and English, but do we have courses focused on competencies such as critical thinking and creative thinking. Competency-based courses could better prepare future generations for the real world.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

Jeff Hopkins

Educators face many challenges when attempting to change pedagogical approaches. Veteran teachers often resist change, adhering to the mentality of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Many teachers have spent years developing lesson plans for their students and lack the resources or time to implement new methods. In my experience working in grade 1, teachers only get 120 minutes of prep time per week for planning and preparation. Time constraints are a widespread issue, making it difficult to implement changes.

The competency-based education approach is a great method that allows students to master skills or competencies at their own pace, accommodating various learning abilities. Students have a choice in how they learn and are not pressured to pass a single exam; if they fail, they can continue learning without falling behind and learn from their mistakes. However, a challenge of competency-based education is determining which competencies are most essential.

If you improve education by teaching for competence, eliminating schooling, and connecting with students, the test scores will improve.

William Glasser : American Psychologist