3D Printing: Inclusion in the Classroom

A 3d printer at the background and chess pieces of different colours in the front view, which indicate the inclusion.

Third-party on-site course

The Covid19 crisis had a great impact on students with disabilities, leaving them unprepared to respond adequately to this new challenge, due to their lack of digital skills and the absence of adapted learning techniques applied, while pre-existing disparities were exacerbated. 3D printing revealed its unlimited applications for inclusion education, in an effort to reinforce the focus on equity.

Last updated: 25.09.2024

Next upcoming session:

26.10.2025 - 01.11.2025

Greece , Αττική , Athens

Description

This course is intended for any teacher/educator desire to use the technology of 3d printing in the classroom, especially for those educators wishing to learn how to effectively use 3d printing projects in inclusion classrooms in order to increase participation and cooperation, while favoring opportunities for personal growth and skill development, under the prism of creativity for both Teachers and students.

The integration of 3D printing technology and techniques can make education systems more resilient for everyone.

The course content is open to teachers of all scientific fields, subjects and levels. The emphasis will be put on how 3D printing can help students with disabilities and their Teachers, but also people of any need, as this is the main work of e-Nable community and also this objective will develop significant social skills for the next generation European citizens as solidarity and volunteering.

During the course the teachers will learn techniques for designing and building tactile accessories (pictures, maps, table games) for visually impaired students, building sensory gadgets for students with mild autism spectrum disorder, building assistive devices for students with kinetic problems and educational assistive materials for students with learning disabilities. The learning content is a result of many educational activities that e-Nable Greece implemented in National (https://enabling.gr/en/2021/01/31/solidarity-project/ ) or European (e.g. https://stories4all.eu/) level.

Learning objectives

Improved abilities to use innovative and project based pedagogical approaches using 3d printing in the inclusive classroom
Improved skills about using a 3d printer in the classroom
Helping students objectify their ideas (think – design – print)
Strengthened professional profile
Increased capacity to cooperate on international level
Internationalization of the sending organizations. Opportunity for future cooperation (job shadowing/partnerships)
Improvement of language skills
Raising awareness for the value of volunteerism
Raising awareness about diversity inclusion in school and society
Encouragement of using new technologies to help people with disabilities
Promote the use of assistive technology
Development of solidarity for people with disabilities

Methodology & assessment

Methodology
Project Based Learning: Teachers will form groups of 3 persons according their teaching subject. Each team will design and print a simple object for their classroom using those adaptations suitable for their students with disabilities (for example the molecular construction of water or the column of the Parthenon temple)
Individualized Education Plan (IEP): educational plan for a student with a disability
Demonstration: The hardware, parts and basic setup of a 3d printer will be explained to the trainees
Learning by doing: the trainees will actively engaged with the 3d printing process, trying to print objects useful for their lessons.
Formative assessment: during the course the trainers will estimate the level of trainees and adjust the content of the course according to the individual needs of the trainees.

Preparation
Trainees will receive a questionnaire, which will provide information on their teaching subject, teaching background, qualifications, and any previous experience with 3d printing.

Follow up
Trainees will be supported by the e-Nable Greece Erasmus+ trainees Facebook Group. The group is full of instructions, photos and videos of how to use/set a 3d printer and design/print educational materials. The administrators of the Group will give instant feedback to any trainees’ question or problem.
In addition, trainees will be provided the educational material of the course in copies and in digital files. This material may be used by the trainees for presentation to their own organizations in order to generate interest in 3d printing in the classroom.

Certification details

Certificate of Attendance
Europass Mobility

Pricing, packages and other information

Price:

560

Euro

Additional information

Language:

English
Target audience ISCED:

Primary education (ISCED 1)

Lower secondary education (ISCED 2)

Upper secondary education (ISCED 3)
Target audience type:

Teacher

Head Teacher / Principal

Teacher Educator
Learning time:

25 hours or more