Active Learning through 3D Printing Technology and Prototyping

This paper describes our journey in using 3D printers as a pedagogical tool to implement active learning (CDIO Standard 8) in the Biomedical Project module in the School of Engineering (SEG) at Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore. The Biomedical Project module aims to develop students’ skills in designing an innovative biomedical product with business ideas to market and package it for commercial consumption. By incorporating 3D printing into the module, students are involved an iterative and connected process that empower them to better able to experiment with their innovative design concepts and test their designs for fit and function . It exposes students to various facets of engineering and design disciplines, as well as promoting creative thinking among the students. Besides the strategies used in designing and implementing the learning activities with 3D printing, our experiences in incorporating other active learning strategies in the module, like flipped classroom in lecture lessons and mini-seminar for students to pitch their business ideas, are also highlighted in the paper. This paper ends with a discussion on the outcomes of the active learning strategies used in the module by examining students’ interest in learning biomedical technologies/concepts and their perception towards this active learning approach.

Proceedings of the 12th International CDIO Conference, Turku, Finland, June 12-16 2016