3D Pen

For any individual, the most imperative skill to adequately develop as a child is creative thinking (Wheeler et al., 2002). Therefore, it is important for teachers to encourage and nurture creativity in the classroom. An increasingly popular way to foster creativity at school, is through providing learning experiences with emerging technologies (Dousay & Weible, 2019). An example of one of these technologies is the ‘3D Pen’ (3Doodler Pen) .

What is it? The 3D Pen creates instant, free-hand three demential creations. Achieved through producing heated, coloured plastic which cools almost immediately, resulting in a solid structure.

Advantages and Disadvantages. The 3Doodler Pen is an amazing concept which allows students to have endless creation possibilities. It is limited in the sense that it always requires power, meaning space may be an issue when using this in the classroom. Also the tip of the pen can get quite hot, introducing a safety issue and potentially meaning only students in older years could have access to it. However, this tool is extremely effective as it allows content that is often two dimensional to be explored at student’s fingertips. This hands-on experience encourages a better response from students, academically and in terms of creative thought (de Souza Flieth, 2000).

3D Pen and Creativity. In terms of creativity in the classroom, there are two approaches: teaching creatively and teaching for creativity (Dousay & Weible, 2019). Teaching creatively focuses on making learning interesting through applying various imaginative approaches (NACCCE, 1999). Teaching for creativity aims to develop student’s creativity through providing activities that encourage to creative thinking (Dousay & Weible, 2019). The 3D pen allows for both of these approaches to be implicated in the classroom. This tool can also be recognised to inspire divergent thought, as it requires aspects of problem solving to be implemented when constructing various objects (Wheeler et al., 2002). 

Classroom Implications. The 3D pen isn’t limited and can be used across various subject areas. It is not only effective for art-based experiences, this tool can successfully be used in other KLA’s, to encourage learning in a fun and engaging manner. For instance, in mathematics the 3D pen could be implemented in a lesson surrounds 3D objects. Science – constructing DNA models. History – creating miniature historical architecture. The possibilities are endless but no matter the subject area, this tool will bring engagement and foster creativity from all students (Dousay & Weible, 2019).

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Reference List

de Souza Fleith, D. (2000). Teacher and student perceptions of creativity in the classroom environment. Roeper Review, 22(3), 148–153.https://doi.org/10.1080/02783190009554022.

Dousay, T., & Weible, J. (2019). Build-A-Bug Workshop: Designing a Learning Experience with Emerging Technology to Foster Creativity. Techtrends, 63(1), 41-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0364-8

National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education (NACCCE) (1999). All our futures: Creativity, culture and education. Sudbury, Suffolk. Retrieved from http://sirkenrobinson. com/pdf/allourfutures.pdf.

Wheeler, S., Waite, S., & Bromfield, C. (2002). Promoting creative thinking through the use of ICT. Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning, 18(3), 367-378. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0266-4909.2002.00247.x