Blog Post 1:

Looking back at my blog posts and reflecting on where I was a year ago today is interesting to consider. This reflection came to me when Valerie put in the syllabus to watch the Most Likely to Succeed video (2015). Circling back to exactly this time last year is the first time I had ever watched that video in EDCI 565. This time when watching this video, I was able to connect my Masters project I have been working on with some of the pedagogies and ideas they followed at High Tech high. I focused on art in my previous blog past here. Now I can have a similar mindset but with 3D printing and the importance of UDL principles and multiple means of communication. Notably with access to technology we remove barriers for students and with the research of our project we hope more elementary schools will understand the need and benefits of 3D printing in skill development. Cheng (2023), addresses access to technology as first order barriers. Cheng  (2023), further states that “First-order barriers are external to teachers and are related to educational resources (including hardware and software), teacher training, and instructional support” (p.185).

To further enhance this idea of barriers and technology, it connects to a project my brother did during his high school experience at PSII. Jeff Hopkins who uses similar methodology to High Tech High including inquiry, innovation, technology and student centered learning, provided access to tools that my brother wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore others. He was able to order lights so that he could program them, Arduino’s to help him learn to code. Therefore, learners came up with ideas and not only did PSII make those happens but during the process connected students with experts to help enhance the learning, ultimately removing the idea of first order barriers.

A video I watched that reinforces the Most Likely to Succeed video and book is below: It acknowledges what the 21st century (the innovation era) learner needs and focuses on skills and motivation. He addresses some key considerations of “play, passion and purpose” to improve intrinsic motivation.

This article really stands out amongst those we have used during our literature review. It addresses most of our research questions. Krystal and I can’t wait to .

See our infographic for more specifics related to our project

3D-Printing-in-Elementary-Ed-2Download

All in all our learners are all diverse and the more means and diversity we have for them to complete tasks the more engaging and accessible tasks are. Some of the impacts of my brothers and my learning experiences based on our needs has helped me been able to understand and critical think about the needs of my students. As such, Krystal and my 3D printing project in Elementary Education hopes we can address the needs of both teachers who may be experiencing some second order barriers (fear of integrating technology) as well as students and families who wish to experience these tools and skills.

My 3D printing workshop with my grade 1 students allowed me to witness this engagement and skill development first hand, which encouraged my willingness to share and make this project know. See the article of the field trip here on page 5 of the Friends of Library December newsletter.