ISLT 7310

Course Description:

Discussion and critical study of current developments in the field of information science and learning technologies. This course focused on MakerSpace and 3D printing.

Reflection:

This course was one that I was initially the most excited about. I knew that our school was planning to create a MakerSpace the following school year so I was excited to learn all about them and how I could effectively use them with my students. I also thought 3D printing in schools was so amazing, but had never actually seen it done in real life so I was excited for that as well.

This course turned out quite differently than I thought. We didn't really talk about MakerSpace at all, and it was more of a 3D printing for adults and engineers, rather than for educators seeking to implement it in their classrooms.

Having no graphic design or 3D printing background, this course was immediately challenging as we jumped into projects where we designed objects for 3D printing in 3D printing software. It was very difficult to learn and there was a lot of googling tutorials involved, but eventually I mastered the basics of the design software and created some pretty cool pieces for 3D printing. If I were not a distance student I would have loved the opportunity to come in and use the printers, but I did get to do a Zoom meeting where one of the assistants took us on a tour and showed us all of the printers and how they work.

This course was challenging, but through the knowledge I gained of 3D printers, how they operate, the pricing/materials, etc., I am able to be helping my principal see if there is a way we can get one in our school. If so, I would take the lead on training teachers on how to use it with their students. This would not be a possible leadership opportunity if it weren't for the skills and knowledge I gained in this course.