Thursday, October 30, 2014

Thursday, October 16, 2014

3-D Printers


  • What does this mean for teaching and education?
The idea of 3D printers could mean a lot of different things for teaching and education. To be honest, as a future teacher, it kind of scares me. I am not the most technologically advanced person, but I am not terrible. However, the idea of me using a tool like this is kind of out of my comfort zone. Even after all the talk about using new and innovative technologies in my classroom, I still can only picture white boards and markers. I have a hard time imagining myself using all of these new tools, however great they may be. On another note, 3D printers may mean that education becomes less hnads-on-making things, and more easy and fast.
  • How do you think this will change teaching?
I believe the use of 3D printers, along with other technologies, will change teaching in positive and negative ways. On the one hand, we will have the ability to make things that we never would have been able to and use those things as teaching tools. On the other hand, I imagine teaching will become less about creative crafts and more about digital images and materials. It kind of takes the fun out of hands-on activities and lessons.
  • What concerns do you have regarding this new technology?
My concerns are that this technology and others will have an increasing effect on our students in a way that will encourage laziness and won’t promote hard work. I do think the idea of 3D printers is amazing for certain projects and activities, but I think it will be overused and children and teachers won’t build/make anything with their hands anymore.