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Welcome to my first blog! This first blog talks about how emerging technologies are now increasing as they are found to have many implications in the classroom including, fostering children’s creativity. This blog further looks more specifically at the utilisation of 3D pens as emerging technology in mathematics class.
Creativity in the classroom refers to utilising different sources, technologies
and materials as well as methods and techniques to teach different topics. The utilisation of these different methods and materials such as, the 3D pen, enhances children's skills and abilities as they are absorbing more information through creativity rather than only covering theoretical information. Emerging technologies are also inclusive of children with learning difficulties and cater for their needs (Lin, 2011).
A 3D pen can be defined as a tool that deploys thermoplastic through the utilisation of heat. Just like a regular pen it can be used manually on different surfaces however, rather than producing ink on the surface it gives the user’s drawing real life 3D vision (Kim & Lee, 2021). 3D pens are a form of augmented reality which combines computer and real life scenes for users to interact with.
This is effective for children's educational experiences as it utilises entertaining methods for children to interact with and learn a variety of content such as, 3D shapes in mathematics. This allows students to have a better understanding of concepts rather than just absorbing information through traditional methods such as, writing information on a pen and paper. Using 3D pens requires students to utilise their touch and sight senses as well as their creative thiking skills thus, expanding their knowledge in specific concepts including, shapes and patterns in maths and increasing motivation. An increase in motivation and understanding of knowledge leads to achieving learning outcomes (Bower et al., 2014).
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However, despite the many advantages listed previously, the 3D pen has some limitations making it difficult to implement in every classroom. There are concerns for safety hazards of 3D pens due to the heat release from nozzles and the smell of plastic burning which may release harmful particles. Another disadvantage includes, the pens need power cords in order to work and if a primary school classroom consists of approximately 30 students this will be very time consuming as students will have to wait. Lastly, students face issues when disconnecting the 3D pen from the surface they’re drawing on. The heated plastic often gets stuck to the surface and destroys the drawing of the child (Bernard & Mendez, 2020). (authors original content)
Therefore, emerging technology such as, 3D pens enhances students creativity in the classrooms and allows for their educational outcomes in concepts such as 3D shapes and patterns in maths despite some of its limitations. It also meets outcomes MA2-3DS-01, MA3-2DS-03, MA3-3DS-01, MA3-2DS-03 and MA3-3DS-01 of the NSW K-10 Mathematics syllabus as it suggests an interactive way to teach children in different stages about patterns and 3D shapes.
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References
Bernard, P., & Mendez, J. D. (2020). Drawing in 3D: Using 3D printer pens to draw chemical models. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 48(3), 253–258. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21334
Bower, M., Howe, C., McCredie, N., Robinson, A., & Grover, D. (2014). Augmented Reality in education – cases, places and potentials. Educational Media International, 51(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523987.2014.889400
Kim, D., & Lee, K. (2021). Characteristics of ultrafine particles emitted from 3D‐pens and effect of partition on children’s exposure during 3D‐pen operation. Indoor Air, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12978
Lin, Y. S. (2011). Fostering Creativity through Education – A Conceptual Framework of Creative Pedagogy. Creative Education, 02(03), 149–155. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2011.23021
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). (2019, Winter 12). English K-10 syllabus. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/hsie/geography-k-10/outcomes
Hi Dayla,
I really enjoyed your thoughts on how to integrate the use of 3D Pens in the modern-day classroom. Coming from an English KLA Background, it was interesting to note the practical ways in which tangible representations of concepts studied in the classroom can help to foster creativity to encourage cognitive and academic growth in students. It would be interesting to translate these understandings to a topic like English which is quite subjective due to its interpretative nature. Using these to allow both primary and secondary students the ability to create visual representations would be a practical way to integrate them into the English syllabus, however, I was wondering if these would allow for abstract designs due to ho…
Hey Dyala,
I really enjoyed reading your blog, the set up of the photos was aesthetically pleasing. I do agree that 3D pens can foster creativity in the classroom, especially when it comes to mathematics. I also appreciate the direct syllabus outcomes that you have in your blog. As an aspiring teacher, seeing the use of 3D pens linked directly to syllabus outcomes makes me think I would be able to use them in my classroom if they were available to me. I also liked the direct positives and limitations you have added in your blog. They are direct and clear making your blog easy to read and understand.
Jana Khaled (08/08/2023)
Hi Dyala,
I really like the layout of your blog as it is easy to navigate and is visually pleasing. You have chosen a great technology as I believe the 3D pens have a learning potential in the classroom. I like how you stated the positives and negatives associated with the 3D pen as this is important for teachers to know. you have added great images to show how the 3D pen looks and functions however I think you could have added a vide which shows exactly how the pen functions as this will be useful for teachers. You have made sound curriculum links although I think it would have been helpful for teachers if you had specified what the…