4. Field Activity: Digital Fabrication for kids¶
Please take a look at my field activity on Scopes!
Reflection Questions¶
Q. How do you think digital fabrication improves the activity vs utilizing traditional methods? What is the extra value?
A: Digital fabrication can assist this activity in a few ways. First off, using a laser cut piece of wood in a garden is natural, and in a way recycling. Even if the piece of wood is left there or forgotten, it will eventually become soil and help grow plants in the future. Second off, using a laser cutter to make a sign is very easily re-made over and over again. The file is saved, can be edited to change the grade or type of plant, and can quickly be printed again and again. Finally, it is faster than ordering something online, requires less packaging so it’s better for the earth, and is most likely cheaper than getting a store bought sign; and best yet, requires no budget requests!
Q. What are some challenges you expect when you do the activity with your class?
A: It would be great if we could do some research before planting and allow the students to find their own information about whatever plant that class is planting. If their English ability is high enough, then they can do their own research, through an internet search or by reading a book. But, most of our students do not have that ability level yet. So, I think the biggest challenge will be for them to actually understand the activity, and what is even going onto the sign.
Q. What have you learnt in the process?
A: Most importantly, I learned how to use our laser cutter. I learned that we can use the laser cutter to make things that are relevant to our classes. The students will never be able to use our current laser cutter, however, because our laser cutter is only usable through one terrible program which is on a Windows computer. The students all have iPads. I can barely use the program as well because it is all in Chinese. There is a lot of things that would have to change before students being able to laser cut their own things.
Q. Describe the process that you went through to create the teaching aid. What did you learn during the fabrication process?
A: It was a very long process. The ideas of what I could make come to mind quickly, but how to actually cut them was a big challenge. The hardest thing was trying to figure out how to use a machine and a program that is all in Chinese, when my Chinese is not fluent. If the machine and the program to use it were all in English, accessable through a macbook, printable through wifi, I would be happy to use this machine much more often. But, as of now, it is a giant terrible purchase by our school because it is so limited in its use. All teachers were given Macbooks, but only one windows laptop can be used to print anything on it, meaning everything needs to be designed and printed through one old laptop.