You have a 3D printer, now what?

Administrators, teachers, and students alike are eager to provide 21st century learning tools onto the campus and in classrooms. If you are thinking about purchasing or already have a 3D printer the million dollar question is, "what do I do with it" other than the obvious. What are the educational benefits that can be gained from having this relatively expensive piece of hardware.

I am remined of a Wendy's commercial from my childhood that asked, "where's the beef?!!" In this instance, lets ask, "where's the pedagogy?" I was very happy to meet up with my amazing teammate who informed me that she found a free web based software called Tinkercad that can be used to produce the 3D file type (Stl) needed to print a object. Tinkercad is an easy to use web based software that with a little teacher support even a kindergartener could use successfully.

With the use of basic shapes a student can create anything. Here are a few that can be used:

        

Using a combination of these shapes student can create 3D objects and save them as Stl files to print on a 3D printer.

I hope you have the chance to create your own object and print it!

#Innovator's Mindset MOOC- Oct.15- Oct. 22

Part IV: Concluding Thoughts, Chapters 13-14.

In the book by George Couros, "The Innovator's Mindset", we are asked to reflect on the question, are we there yet? Couros is referring to how schools, educators specifically, know when a level of innovation and excellence has been attained. As educators we look for indications of student success in large part given by test data. Yes, we need to use test data because sometimes we have to "operate inside the box", however, we are not limited to only using test data to measure student growth and success. Couros suggests we use digital portfolios as well.

I was excited to read his recommendation because I am a proponent of digital portfolios for students and teachers. I have written about it in the past and have found that there is innovative and transformative power in the creation and successful organization of digital portfolios. Couros wrote that effective digital portfolios take on two goals:

1) Learning Portfolio which shows a person's growth over time.
2) Showcase Portfolio that highlights a person's best work.

If we were to create a digital portfolio system and use them to accomplish these two goals then the way schools: provide feedback, measure and encourage growth, communicate with parents, increase mindfulness and metacognition, increase engagement and quality of work, provide an authentic purpose and audience, all become much more efficient and effective.

I have two recommendations for digital portfolios:

Seesaw and Google Drive.

I have personally built and used digital portfolio systems for both teachers and students using these two systems. Both are equally versatile, secure, sustainable, and one of the best parts, free.

In conclusion, one of the final thoughts of the book that inspired me was this, "If we only teach students the curriculum, we have failed them." School and education encompasses so much more than academics. The content we teach is but a mere fraction of what students have the capacity and inclination to learn. The frightening part is that all too many will never have the chance to experience the joy of learning in a classroom. They will have to wait 18 or 19 years until they leave in order to do so.

#Innovator's Mindset MOOC- Oct.1- Oct. 8

I am so happy that George Couros emphasizes relationships in his book, "The Innovator's Mindset". In my heart, I truly believe that the solution to remove most of the majors barriers that keep our student's from learning can be overcome by forming meaningful relationships. An entire chapter is dedicated to this one aspect of what we do as innovative educators. I enjoy how there are overtones of this concept throughout the entire book which only serves to reinforce the notion that unless we have the benefits that come with a solid relationship, we will not enjoy the fruits that follow from the labor. Whether you are a teacher or administrator, relationships are a crucial aspect of what we do. The graphic on the left captures the importance of relationships. No matter what age or level, context or environment, relationships are essential to a solid foundation for student success.

How do relationships relate to innovation? In order to be an innovator there is a certain amount of trust that has to be established because the innovator takes a chance and there is a chance of failure. The innovator must know that failure will not result in any castigation. The level of trust also equates to the quality of the results that follow. Couros emphasized that importance of personal individual interactions in order to build trust and understanding. He asks the question, "Do you see personal moments you have with your staff as investments or expenditures?" I think the way we answer this question will indicate your level of trust building ability.

Couros also describes the differences between engagement and empowerment.

"Engaging students means getting kids excited about our content, interests, and curricula. Empowering students means giving kids the knowledge and skill to pursue their passions, interests, and future."

Which is more beneficial for the student? Inevitable, we need to realize that the opportunities that are more learner-centered will yield the highest benefit for our students. We must try to empower them and not just engage them.

#Innovator's Mindset MOOC- September 17-24

Why is “innovation” so crucial in education? What impact do you see it having on our students and ourselves long term?

John Dewey, arguably one of the first major American Innovators of education, galvanized the phrase and perspective that. "Education is life itself." As we begin this collaborative MOOC focused on "The Innovator's Mindset" I would like to propose that education is life and in so doing, extend that innovation in eduction is crucial to enduring in our lives and in our world! In order to survive within a world of global competiton in every aspect of life, innovation has always been the key element by which our species has flourished.

An administrator prompted his faculty to reflect in a meeting one day, "Remember, you choose to be here, you choose this profession." As educators, we must rememebr what drew us to this profession to begin with, and what keeps us going each day! Being involved in a forrum like this is a great opportunity to remind ourselves why we entered education in the first place. At the very heart of every great teacher there is a student yearning to learn and to be the best they can be; seeking to continue on a path of growth. Understanding how to embrase a mindset of innovation will enable us to ascend into higher levels of achievement which equates to student engagement and success. George reminds us that the best lessons are those which we model. Actions speak louder than words, and believe me our students listen with their eyes so much more than with their ears.

How can we expect our students to take a chance if we never do? How can we expect our students to embrase an innovators mindset if they do not know what it is. We will send a message to our student that learning from faiure is essential to learning in general. Seth Godin inspires us to accept failure as part of the learning process and to eliminate the negaitve connoation associated with a necessary step; for we only truly fail if we stop trying.