Technology Enhanced Tools for Learning.

Funded Sep 13, 2021

Technology provides a better interactive experience during the learning and teaching process. With the introduction of a wide range of devices and tools, students got the opportunity to make their learning process much easier and more interesting with the exploration of the 3D pen and the Cricut. The students did something they have been wanting to do a long time ago – to learn actively and productively. The students dig deeper into an area that interests them which allows them to potentially recognize their interests, talents, and even their future profession/ career. There is no limit to creativity with 3D pen and Cricut. There is no limit to size or features of objects that can be created with a 3D pen and Cricut. The students created images to visualize their understanding of a science concept. One of the features of 3D printing is that it gives life to my student's imagination or creative ideas which is possible to see and study. My middle school students enjoyed using the 3D pens and Cricut for it makes learning easier and more understandable. This helped the students improve their creative skills, visual perception, creative thinking, and hand-eye coordination. The tools also inspired my students to explore their learning for when the 3D pens and Cricut were introduced into the classroom the students interacted with it right away. The 3D pens and Cricut tools along with a project-based learning approach had led to higher student engagement, new opportunities for learning, enhanced creativity, increased perseverance through embracing and learning from failures. For the first time, students created a 3D picture of a cicada, a butterfly, and a DNA model for the lesson on Genetics and Heredity. The students also explore the use of the Cricut and design messages for their shirt, mug, or book bags. It has been a wonderful strategy to teach and motivate my students. They are so eager and excited to learn in this new way! The overall enthusiasm towards school and learning has increased tremendously. When my students started using the 3D pens and Cricut the struggle was real especially when they started making their draft for their DNA, cicada, and prints for their shirt. There were instances wherein the real images did not come out as expected several times but persisted until they got the correct outcome. My students who successfully fix something incorrect experiences personal success. They experience directly how worthwhile their effort is and how their competence improves. Such an experience of success leads to their being more persistent and knowing that they can achieve it.

Students who are typically reluctant learners have come to life. One student was chronically coming to class late and has now become punctual every day. He asks me each day if he can create something new related to Chemistry or Genetics!" Another student was able to share most of her sample work using Cricut to her classmates which brought so much excitement for other students to create their own. A student who had a problem with organizing her belongings finally used the Cricut to personalize all items in her book bag. She said "it is much easier to find her belongings because they are all labeled" from journals, chrome books, pens, water bottles and totes.

Thank you so much for your support (Donors Choose) because people like you care so deeply in preparing today's children to become the innovators and inventors of tomorrow which begins with STEM education activities. The use of the materials such as the Cricut and the 3D pens drive my students to think critically and challenge standards which is the basis of innovation. Our school can continue to pursue our goal to build skills that set students up for success in middle school and beyond. With your generosity, you have provided opportunities to take traditional teaching and learning of science and pivot it to prioritize the hands-on experience and real-world application necessary for developing an innovative mind. We wouldn't be able to do any of this without your help!

I look forward to staying in touch—I will send you updates on our future projects using the 3D pen and Cricut. I hope that you will continue to support our future endeavors.”

With gratitude,

Dr. Melad