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For teachers, getting a 3D printer into a classroom or lab setting is no easy feat. It will undoubtedly involve applying for a tech grant. Though the idea of having 3D printer technology available to enhance the learning experience of students is appealing to many teachers, the act of having to write out a lengthy grant to get one is not. Administrators take note: having your teachers apply for grants to procure 3D printing in their classroom is not leading, nor is it going to get you any awards for being an innovative school leader. As school leaders, administrators handle bringing their schools into the 21st Century. A school without this very important technology is still in the 20th century! 3D printing is on a far greater scale of an impact than what AutoCAD was for Drafting and Drawing engineering magnet electives back in the early 90’s. Unlike AutoCAD, 3D printing has applications in a multiple core and elective subjects and is perfect for fulfilling the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) initiative our country’s leaders have pressed upon us. Like all new technology, however, 3D printing has yet to catch on. This is mostly because many school administrators don’t understand, and therefore, have no way of valuing, this technology. Another contributing factor is the perceived high cost of having a 3D printer on the school’s budget. The costs of 3D printers have come down. An (elementary) administrator can grab one for under $400! More sophisticated machines, for the higher levels, will run between $700-$3,000. Choices and funds determine what an administrator will spend money on. With my science teaching and school administrator background, I would recommend all administrators to take the leap forward and forego on other expenses as much as possible to save up for a 3D printer. Read more...6 ways administrators can revolutionize teaching and learning with 3D printers
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