Reviewing the Impact of 3D Printing and AI on Students Learning Process

3D printing and AI are two of the major educational trends of recent years. Schools and universities worldwide clearly understand that without 3D printers and AI today, it is impossible to provide students with comprehensive training. This article reviews the impact of 3D printing and AI on students learning process.

How AI helps education

Three main types of artificial intelligence (AI) are actually used in education:

• Ensemble algorithms. They are based on the logic of varying degrees of complexity. This type of AI is responsible for building individual learning trajectories or analyzing the effectiveness of a lesson plan.
• Pre-trained neural networks. They are created to solve one specific task and trained on a large amount of data. Such neural networks can be responsible for automatic language comprehension or recognizing emotions on students’ faces. Examples of open-source models are GPT-3 and BERT.
• Neural networks. In this case, a pre-trained neural network is further trained on a smaller amount of data and adapted to solve a narrower task. For example, a neural network can be specialized to check open-ended tasks of a particular course.

AI finds application in the widest range of tasks of the educational process. Scientists distinguish 4 main groups of tasks:

• Selection and admission of students
• Acceleration of education
• Student tasks
• Optimization and adaptation of educational programs

Chatbots are applicable in the optimization of recruitment and admission of students, as well as in the initial adaptation process. Mainstay successfully advises U.S. applicants on admissions and enrollment and tells them about tuition terms.

Accelerating learning and improving the quality of knowledge is possible with the use of a variety of simulators. For example, the ShadowHealth medical system simulates the symptoms of diseases, training medical diagnosticians. The M-Write platform assesses students’ residual knowledge and, at the same time, teaches users the rules of academic writing. Artificial intelligence takes on the role of mentor in the MATHiaU project: a machine tutor explains math basics to students who have trouble learning.

How 3D printers help education

A few years ago, 3D equipment was little represented in colleges and universities because of its high cost. But now the situation has changed. Firstly, quality 3D printers began to appear on the market at an affordable price. In addition, states are actively supporting innovative programs in educational institutions by allocating funds for the purchase of 3D printers and 3D scanners.

Educational institutions around the world use 3D printing. 3D printers improve learning, develop students’ imaginative thinking, and train future specialists in automated programming and design. 3D printing dramatically increases interest in the learning process, as it allows students to feel like real innovators.

By creating a model on the computer, students can hold it in their hands in just a few hours. It is a great motivation to create something new.

Students who use a 3D printer for educational purposes get to learn from their own mistakes. On paper or computer, it is difficult to see the flaws in the model. When creating a model or test part, the student can already hold it in his hands after a short time, having modeled it on the computer in a 3D program. If something fails, it’s not a problem. He or she can try again.

For educational institutions, installing a 3D printer will raise the overall prestige and train real specialists capable of performing actual design tasks. At the same time, there is no need for the impressive cost of purchasing the equipment and its future use.

3D printers are great for all ages. Younger schoolchildren will be interested in three-dimensional modeling devices for general development, acquaintance with technology, and use in game mode. High school and university students will appreciate the advantages of 3D printers from a practical point of view. With their help, it will be possible to implement the author’s projects, print practical tasks, and develop creative abilities and skills.

3D printers for technical and creative specialties

3D technology is the most popular technology at technical universities. Students can design objects, parts, and models in the classroom, make prototypes using a 3D printer and evaluate and test them. 3D printing, already included in the curriculum of many universities, enables students to bring their design ideas to life, thereby increasing their employability in a high-tech manufacturing environment.

3D printers that print plastic products are commonly used to train engineering students. Such equipment makes it possible to obtain durable prototypes and mechanisms that can withstand physical stresses and be subjected to testing. The Studocu study materials platform widely used by students, teachers and startups contains many documents about 3D printing in education.

Creative professions are another area where 3D printing is actively used. Future architects and designers can use 3D printers to realize the most daring projects and experiment with materials and shapes. The ability to quickly visualize and physically implement their own projects allows students to learn many aspects of their future profession much faster.

The best choice for architecture and design students is full-color 3D printers. Such equipment will allow students to quickly get bright and clear visualizations of their projects.

Conclusion

The digitalization of education is so popular that people sometimes forget what it is for. And it is needed to help students realize their potential. That is why it is important to nurture humanity in implementing AI and 3D printing projects. We must ensure that our hesitation between different choices, mistakes, and emotions helps us make our education more effective and correct.