ABSTRACT
Over the past few years, digital fabrication has been utilized in technology laboratories to emphasize hands-on learning processes in technology and engineering education. Recent studies indicate that hands-on activities can help students connect with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and develop key skills required in the 21st century. However, some argue that introducing 3D printing technology in schools could reduce pragmatic engagement and cause affective loss of hands-on interests. To explore the use of 3D printing machines in technology and engineering education, this research developed a STEM-based vibration isolator activity using a 3D printer and repetitive modeling. A nonequivalent control group design was employed in this research, and 192 Taiwanese high school students participated in this study. The conclusions are: (1) repetitive modeling in the STEM-based design activity enhanced student imagination; (2) repetitive modeling was effective in developing high school students’ interest in technology and engineering careers; and (3) repetitive modeling, engineering design, and “conceiving imagination” were significant predictors of the students’ final products. These results suggest a benefit to high school technology education of using 3D printers in a STEM-based vibration isolator design activity with repetitive modeling.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Kuen-Yi Lin
Kuen-Yi Lin is professor at National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan. His main research interests are STEM education, web-based learning, and technology education.
Shao-Chuan Lu
Shao-Chuan Lu is a Ph. D. student at National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan. His main research interests are technology education, technology teacher education.
Hsien-Hsien Hsiao
Hsien-Sheng Hsiao is now professor in the Department of Technology Application and Human Resource Development of National Taiwan Normal University. His research interests mainly focus on game-based learning, ubiquitous learning, innovative technology for education, and cloud-based computing systems.
Chia-Pin Kao
Chia-Pin Kao is a professor at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. His main research interests are teacher professional development, web-based learning, and children technology and science.
P. John Williams
P. John Williams is a professor at Curtin University, Australia. His main research interests are teaching and learning, teacher training, and online learning.