Pioneer Tabitha Lewis shares the story of undergraduate student Gloria Song, whose digital literacy skills improved after she decided to incorporate 3D printing into her final project.
Gloria Song is an undergraduate student at Brock University, pursuing a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
In the introductory audiology course, students were required to create a surprising element for their final project.
Therefore, in her efforts to seek help and inspiration, she came to Brock University's MakerSpace. Ultimately, she decided to use 3D modeling and printing to create a visual representation of the inner ear.
The MakerSpace staff consulted with Gloria Song multiple times, asking her important questions, guiding her through the design thinking process, and encouraging exploratory and problem-based learning.
As she spent more time working in the MakerSpace, her digital literacy skills improved, eventually making her a trusted resource for other students with 3D printing questions.
Gloria tells her own story:
As part of my introductory audiology course, the final project was to demonstrate our understanding of sound transmission. We had to create an ear model that assists in sound transmission. I chose the eardrum as my topic but worried about how to create an accurate representation. At first, I considered using wires and plastic sheets, but cutting wires and bending them into the correct shape was a difficult and rather dangerous task, so my idea shifted to using 3D models I had seen before in the Brock Library MakerSpace.
When I entered the MakerSpace, I only had a vague idea of what I wanted to do. I tried to describe how I wanted people to make it, and they were able to guide me in the right direction. I learned to use the online application TinkerCAD and created the bare skeleton of the eardrum. I learned how to use the application and 3D printers. The hardest part was transforming the shape I had in mind into a real model in the application.
Through much trial and error, I learned that getting the right help in 3D design is the most important factor in achieving good results. Using the bare skeleton I printed, I was able to add other materials to achieve different textures for various parts of the eardrum.
When I finally put these pieces together, I felt a great sense of satisfaction. I even printed a small tray to keep them organized. This was my first attempt at creating new things and being creative.
I believe there are many other techniques that can be learned in the MakerSpace. Next stop, Arduino projects!
An overview of Gloria's learning process:
Gloria is now a "MakerSpace Champion" and has been experimenting with new designs and learning new techniques in the MakerSpace. She enters the MakerSpace every day and is very willing to help others who, like her before, were afraid of technology and had no knowledge of 3D modeling or printing. "[Starting this project in the MakerSpace] was one of my most enjoyable experiences to date, everyone was so friendly and helpful, and my project turned out exactly as I envisioned, and I encourage everyone to try it." She said.
We hope others will see Gloria's journey and be inspired to try 3D printing for their next project.
Original link:https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52483-taking-the-first-step-using-3d-modeling-to-enhance-learning