On the 3D printing models and students’ learning

CONTEXT Engineering education employing 3D printing models has emerged as an innovative teaching practice for student learning and problem-solving. Embedding it into the engineering curriculum helps improve the learning space for higher education sectors. The benefits of students’ learning in all disciplines such as Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, and Mechatronics engineering are evident. The scope of employing this pedagogy expanded in other areas as well such as podiatry, and health sectors. The benefits of this pedagogy are the students’ learning in problem solving, and students’ skills to turn engineering theories into practice. PURPOSE OR GOAL Scopes of employing 3D printing technologies are expanding in various modes: teaching students and educators about 3D printing, supporting technology during teaching, producing artifacts/models for student learning, creating assistive practices, and supporting outreach activities. The focus of this study is to evaluate the impact of 3D models’ influence on mechanical engineering students learning and developing problem-solving skills. APPROACH OR METHODOLOGY/METHODS The 3D printing models are prepared using 3D printing technology in relation to the content of the weekly lectures and tutorials on the Solid Mechanics unit. Each week. A few important models are introduced to on-campus students through hands-on activities and distant students through video cameras to demonstrate problem definitions, scopes, and failure modes of structural members under loading. Student feedback, reaction, and satisfaction are obtained on a yearly basis for the evaluation of 3D printing models’ impact on student learning using unanimous unsolicited university student data. The trend, value, and meaning of student data and the improvement of student reactions are compiled for future actions. ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES As the 3D models changed the mode of students’ learning from a 2D textbook view to a wider 3D view of 3D printed models, the student can clearly see the failure surface and the direction of applied forces from various angles. Their idea and learning are improved. Students’ interest in the Solid Mechanics unit is expected to increase gradually, which helps lifelong learning. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/SUMMARY The applications of 3D printing models in classroom activities significantly impact student learning and problem-solving skills. Because of the new pedagogy of teaching method, the students are interested more in the unit contents and improve their capacity to put engineering theory into practice in industrial applications.