A recent report from the NMC Horizon Project — a collaborative effort between the Austin, TX-based New Media Consortium (NMC), the IEEE, and two Spanish educational entities — included 3D printing among 12 other technologies slated to influence STEM education over the next one to five years. 3D printing is especially intriguing as it holds the potential to transform many aspects of life.
Some of the other technologies on the NMC report were gaming, immersive learning environments, wearable tech, flexible displays, and machine learning. The report serves as a guide for leaders in the STEM fields to tailor their educational initiatives over the coming years.
3D Printing allows for Enhanced Object Exploration
The report specifically commented on how 3D printing enhances the learning process when it comes to the exploration of different objects. “3D printing allows for more authentic exploration of objects that may not be readily available to education institutions, including animal anatomies and toxic materials. The exploration of 3D printing, from design to production, as well as demonstrations and participatory access, can open up new possibilities for learning activities,” the report concluded.
3D printing’s obvious capabilities for rapid prototyping also serve to provide students with a tangible example of their current class subject. They are able to physically touch and feel the object and possibly even take it home for further exploration.
Other Technologies that are Influencing STEM Education
The NMC report also noted that mobile and online learning are seeing more widespread use and need to be accounted for when designing educational websites and content. Additionally, the leveraging of Big Data is enhancing the analytical process of education, providing additional insights to student interaction with a variety of learning materials and processes. STEM educational leaders are encouraged to take into account the findings in the NMC report when planning future initiatives.
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