Design based learning is the integration of design based projects into the classroom to cultivate and encourage problem solving skills and support students with learning the curricular content through engagement with the real world (Kim, Suh & Song, 2015). 3D printing has recently been introduced into classrooms to help promote creativity and visual representation of models and the design process. 3D printing has come a long way since the time it was first invented in the early 1980s.  To be able to implement a successful design process, students need to be given a chance to discover, interpret, come up with ideas, experiment and evolve (figure 1).

As a teacher, these concepts would be vital to implement in a classroom and make sure students understand the process when facing real life situations and scenarios. There are many different types of programs that can be used to assist in designing and experimenting before creating the model. A software that can be used is SketchUp. SketchUp is a free 3D computer design software that gives students an opportunity to experiment, create and design models that they will later be creating. Using softwares and involving technology in the classroom encourages higher order thinking and allows individualised learning as each student will have a chance to learn how to use the program at their own pace (Wilson, 2013).

SketchUp can be used throughout the visual arts and technology syllabus in classrooms as students are required to design a house or room and later build it using recyclable materials bought from reverse garbage or 3D printing. In low socioeconomic schools cost can be an obstacle due to the restricting costs associated with buying 3D printers that could be used to fund educational resources such as books and website subscriptions, which would be more beneficial to students (Sharma, 2011). In a low socioeconomic school rather than building it using a 3D printer, I would take my students to a reverse garbage site and let them use those resources to build their model. In conclusion, as design based thinking is very beneficial in classrooms i would use the program SketchUp to help in designing the model, and rather than using 3D printing i would take my students to a reverse garbage site to teach them about renewal and recycling of products to inspire creativity.

References

Kim, P., Suh, E., & Song, D. (2015). Development of a Design-Based Learning Curriculum through Design-Based Research for a Technology-Enabled Science Classroom. Educational Technology Research and Development, 63(4), 575-602.

Sharma, K. (2011). Financial implications of implementing an e-learning project. Journal of European Industrial Training, 35(7), 658-686.

NSW Education Standards Authority. (2018). Science and Technology K-6. Retrieved from https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/key-learning-areas/science/science-and-technology-k-6

Wilson, Lyndal. (2013). A new dimension: The use of 3D printing in schools. Independence, 38(2), 26,28-32.

All images are mine unless otherwise stated.