Task 1: Hands-On Learning - Using Tinkercad and 3-D Pens to Promote Creativity

While technology has recently been contingent upon access to a virtual classroom since the disruption of COVID-19, it can be used by teachers to utilise a hands-on approach to teaching and learning that promotes abstract and critical thinking, and creativity.

Hands-on approaches to teaching promote deeper learning, encourages creativity, problem solving and independence, and allows access for students with barriers to learning, as well as enhancing communication skills among students (Ho et al., 2014). According to this study by Ho et al (2014), incorporating these approaches into classroom pedagogy promotes higher levels of knowledge and increased overall satisfaction in class.

Figure 1: Hands-on approach shown through use of a 3-D pen (Original Author Content, 2023).

One example of promoting learning through hands-on technology is lessons that employ Tinkercad. Tinkercad is a free 3-D modelling website that allows students to use basic 3-D shapes, customise them and plot them; as well as combine them to use their imagination.

This technology can be employed in a variety of different ways in different subjects, such as a task that creates a building or a town in subjects such as Geography or Science. As seen below, what began as a simple building turned into a town with numerous animals and structures as creativity and imagination took hold.

Figure 2: Town created on Tinkercad that began with a house. (Original Author Content, 2023).

Tinkercad also allows students to work collaboratively on their projects to harness their creativity in different areas and create an overall product that highlights their individuality. This collaboration process allows students to develop their own work and their group members; as well as build confidence in their written and oral work through tasks that allow them to defend their creative process (Smith, 2017).

Another use of hands-on approaches to learning is through the employment of 3-D pens in the classroom.

Figure 3: Drawing a snail with a 3-D pen (Original Author Content, 2023).

While enhancing fine motor skills in the classroom, these pens allow students to make their thoughts and imagination into a tangible object. This could be useful in subjects such as Maths and Science, where students can create shapes and measure them, as well as test their weak points and determine how to improve them.

Figure 4: 3-D Pen Drawings (Original Author Content, 2023).

Ultimately, limitations to both technologies can include access for students in lower SES areas, behavioural issues, and potential barriers in the technologies; such as difficulty in selecting the correct shape in Tinkercad. Negative parental attitudes about internet safety also pose a limitation when it is unwarranted (Gur & Turel, 2022). To combat this, in the case of behaviour, lessons incorporating 3-D pens would be better suited to a well-behaved class and teachers may need to implement student leaders to help with behaviour regulation.

Hands-on learning in the classroom using technology such as Tinkercad and 3-D pens promote creativity to enhance student learning.

References

Gur, D. & Turel, Y. K. (2022). Parenting in the digital age: Attitudes, controls and limitations regarding children’s use of ICT. Computers and Education, 183, 104504–.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104504

Ho, V., Nakamori, Y., & Lim, C. P. (2016). Blended learning model on hands-on approach for in-service secondary school teachers: Combination of E-learning and face-to-face discussion. Education and Information Technologies, 21 (1), 185–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-014-9315-y

Smith, T. (2017). Reading, Writing & Thinking: Cross-Curricular Literacy Initiatives. Tech & Learning, 38 (5), 40–44 (no doi).

Edit History

9/3/23 at 1:00pm - adjustment to paragraph under Figure 4 to include ways to combat behavioural issues in the classroom according to feedback from Jessica Steele