OLTD Program Outcome Addressed:
My second piece of evidence is my 3-D printed design as part of the 3-D printing seminar in OLTD509. This was an excellent seminar which produced a piece of evidence that allowed me to investigate the process in which I would determine if an emerging technology was appropriate for my teaching practice.
I really appreciated the opportunity to construct my own 3-D printed object because it has provided me with the concrete skills required to actually utilize the software in my class. I was so impressed with the ease of use that the software provided and could certainly see myself utilizing it in a younger classroom than I originally planned.
The 3-D printing process certainly speaks to an experiential or constructivist approach to learning in that students are tasked with creating "something" and then utilize the tools they have (knowledge, software, printer) to actually make whatever it is. They can then quickly determine if they were successful in their creation. In an online environment I could certainly see the process working much the same way that it did in the seminar where students could email their designs to their teacher to be later printed, evaluated and sent back.
The process of creating my 3-D printed design also provided me with an excellent opportunity to consider how to choose an emerging technology in general. In order to create the design I needed to ensure that I understood the technology through the use of the video and accessing an expert. In general I think this is an excellent method of evaluating an emerging technology and considering it's potential uses - basic research, speaking with others, and then trying to technology yourself. I could also see myself passing this information on to colleagues through actually showing them my 3-D printed creation. They'll get a much better sense of the possibilities and the ease of use if I can show them the keyring that I created and briefly discuss the implications for their classes.
Obviously the technology would need to fit with my own educational philosophy, and I think it's an important consideration in general when selecting a new technology. 3-D printing certainly fits with my engineering and mathematical model of learn-practice-execute, as well as the exploratory learning that is so important to a deep understanding of a topic. Making concrete connections between my philosophy and an emerging technology, such as 3-D printing, means that I can ensure that it will not only fit within my classroom but also be utilized on a regular basis.
The other consideration is going to have to be actual classroom use and the costs associated with this use. The monetary costs of plastic and the intangible cost of class time and structure will need to be considered in 3-D printing, and all emerging technologies in general. In terms of 3-D printing it will be important to consider the budget ahead of time and how to ensure that the printer is used for entire classes while still being aware of the time taken for each print job.
Overall the entire seminar was excellent and I really appreciate the opportunity to create a 3-D printed object. Through the actual understanding of the topic to an attempt at using the software much as a student would, I've got a better sense of 3-D printing in general - thanks!
- Become familiar with common terms, definitions and elements related to online environments
- Demonstrate basic competency with design and implementation within a variety of online learning environments and tools
- Share engagement strategies and tips
- Critically assess and evaluate resources for best practice in online learning
My second piece of evidence is my 3-D printed design as part of the 3-D printing seminar in OLTD509. This was an excellent seminar which produced a piece of evidence that allowed me to investigate the process in which I would determine if an emerging technology was appropriate for my teaching practice.
I really appreciated the opportunity to construct my own 3-D printed object because it has provided me with the concrete skills required to actually utilize the software in my class. I was so impressed with the ease of use that the software provided and could certainly see myself utilizing it in a younger classroom than I originally planned.
The 3-D printing process certainly speaks to an experiential or constructivist approach to learning in that students are tasked with creating "something" and then utilize the tools they have (knowledge, software, printer) to actually make whatever it is. They can then quickly determine if they were successful in their creation. In an online environment I could certainly see the process working much the same way that it did in the seminar where students could email their designs to their teacher to be later printed, evaluated and sent back.
The process of creating my 3-D printed design also provided me with an excellent opportunity to consider how to choose an emerging technology in general. In order to create the design I needed to ensure that I understood the technology through the use of the video and accessing an expert. In general I think this is an excellent method of evaluating an emerging technology and considering it's potential uses - basic research, speaking with others, and then trying to technology yourself. I could also see myself passing this information on to colleagues through actually showing them my 3-D printed creation. They'll get a much better sense of the possibilities and the ease of use if I can show them the keyring that I created and briefly discuss the implications for their classes.
Obviously the technology would need to fit with my own educational philosophy, and I think it's an important consideration in general when selecting a new technology. 3-D printing certainly fits with my engineering and mathematical model of learn-practice-execute, as well as the exploratory learning that is so important to a deep understanding of a topic. Making concrete connections between my philosophy and an emerging technology, such as 3-D printing, means that I can ensure that it will not only fit within my classroom but also be utilized on a regular basis.
The other consideration is going to have to be actual classroom use and the costs associated with this use. The monetary costs of plastic and the intangible cost of class time and structure will need to be considered in 3-D printing, and all emerging technologies in general. In terms of 3-D printing it will be important to consider the budget ahead of time and how to ensure that the printer is used for entire classes while still being aware of the time taken for each print job.
Overall the entire seminar was excellent and I really appreciate the opportunity to create a 3-D printed object. Through the actual understanding of the topic to an attempt at using the software much as a student would, I've got a better sense of 3-D printing in general - thanks!