Week 1

Reflection

For the Field activity 1, I plan to create a puzzle map of Armenia’s historical regions. Assembling it will help my students better remember the names of these regions. I’ll need a laser cutter for this.

Could you have done this activity without the teaching aid you have fabricated?How do you think digital fabrication improves the activity vs utilizing traditional methods? What is the extra value? Yes, this activity could have been completed without the teaching aid but the digital fabrication adds significant value and enhances the learning experience. Students can simply look at printed maps or book pages and try to memorize names, while using a ready-made puzzle map allows them to physically engage with the geography of Armenia in a more interactive and memorable way. Puzzles are beneficial for developing logical and spatial thinking, fine motor skills, and attention. They also help relieve stress, improve mood, and boost self-esteem, while working together helps build teamwork. Furthermore, the game-like nature of the task—the competition between students—increases motivation and interest, making the lesson more dynamic and engaging. Digital production, such as laser-cut or 3D-printed stencils, ensures precision and reusability, offering durable and accurate teaching aids that enhance both collaboration and knowledge acquisition compared to traditional paper-based methods.

What are some challenges you expect when you do the activity with your class? I divide the challenges I expect to encounter into two types: those related to learning the material and those related to teamwork.

Learning the material: The names of the areas are quite difficult to remember, and they contain almost no names similar to current ones, making them significantly more difficult to remember.

Teamwork: Teamwork is difficult due to potential conflicts due to personality incompatibilities, communication issues, and time constraints.

What did you learn during the fabrication process? During the process, I learned two key lessons that will be useful to me in future projects. First, I realized how labor-intensive it can be to prepare an effective vector drawing. I had to simplify the map so that the students wouldn’t damage it while putting the puzzle together. I realized I needed to find a balance between precision and practicality.

Second, I realized that to get a high-quality cut, I needed to properly set the focus and adjust the laser power.