Issues and concerns can be change in opportunities

I remember the last words of a proffesor in a video I saw in Coursera, and it says "let's face these obstacles with creativity and innovation". 
Actually, I found a proposal of a classmate that I liked so much. 

I asked for permission to share it here. 

Read it, please . :)


Title – Collaborate locally to overcome gaps in technology and infrastructure

·         Context – local public school with high level ICT teaching skills but low availability of technology equipment and infrastructure such as maintenance and dedicated digital spaces.

·         The Challenge – Technology and infrastructure

 The Suggestion

ICT tool or Resource

§  Our local libraries have class sized sets of technology equipment and the infrastructure to support their use.

§  Technology equipment includes banks of 3D printers, educational robotics (including programmable toys such as Lego WeDo and mBots), physical computing elements (including Raspberry Pi and Arduino).

§  The libraries also have experts in the use and maintenance of this equipment.

§  These tools and resources are available to the public free of charge and are very often under utilised.

Proposed Activities

§  This is an example of how to overcome difficulties with technology and infrastructure by collaborating with a local library to teach 3D printing.  In this example some classes are held at the library for directly learning and experimenting with the technology.  Other classes are held at school and involve planning, designing, practicing and using software.

Example Activity: 3D printing course for grade 3-4

School

Make standard 3D shapes from materials in the classroom. Introduce children to the concept of building three dimensional objects with a computer.

Library

Attend the 3D printing lab at the local library. Expert will describe the process and from software to printed object.

School

Using an interactive whiteboard or class set of computers (PC lab or tablets) complete guided class activities for using Tinkercad. This is a free 3D modelling program for building digital 3D shapes. It is a very intuitive package that even kindergarten children can use.

School

Allow students to play in this package creating their own 3D object. Save them to the class Tinkercad account.

Library

3D printing expert will discuss with children which designs might work and why. How they can be modified to work using the equipment you have. One lucky student has their optimized item printed.

This activity could be scaled down for K-2:

-to only involve standard 3D shapes with less emphasis on the software.

This activity could be scaled up for grade 5-6:

-to include solving a community problem with 3D printing.

-Can take inspiration from this project which uses community members to build prosthetic hands and send them free to those in need (http://enablingthefuture.org/upper-limb-prosthetics/). Alternatives could include: creating Braille signs for visually impaired members of the community; a plaque for the creative writing competition; a set of 3D shapes for the junior students.

The other challenges - for each of the other challenges, what further action would be needed to deal with it?

·         Money – this solution is free, the comparable costs of purchase, maintenance and running this activity would be significant.

·         Support- teachers are supported by technology expert at the school.

·         Teachers Knowledge and confidence – this activity is well within the capabilities of our teachers.

·         Time – two lessons off site and three in class are good use of class time (we are walking distance to our library).

·         School Management – their support would be essential to this collaboration.

·         Family Context – family support would be helpful for this activity. Students with different. abilities and needs would be supported for this project as they are throughout their learning.