In many of today's classrooms, the focus has shifted away from creativity to the ability to take tests. Students often find themselves regurgitating information instead of actively engaging with it, learning how to take tests instead of how to genuinely interact with the material. Fostering creativity in the classroom, however, goes far beyond student performance on tests. Both in the classroom and in future workplaces, creativity is increasingly important.
Benefit #1: Creativity Helps Students Approach and Adapt to Problems
Many modern professions--especially those within STEM fields--simply aren't designed to support the kind of learning that occurs in many test-based classes. When students are faced with real, hands-on problems once they head into the real world, they may struggle to come up with solutions that haven't already been clearly laid out in their handbooks or their training. With project-based learning, on the other hand, students learn how to approach and deal with those key problems on their own. They learn how to adapt their thinking and transform their projects to handle issues when they arise--and as a result, they're better prepared to do the same in the business world. A 3D printer for schools is just one way to foster that creativity in the classroom.
Benefit #2: Creativity Transitions from the Classroom to Modern Businesses
A 2010 study of more than 1,500 executives found that creativity is the most important business skill in the modern world. Business executives are looking for creative problem solvers who are able to think on their feet and adapt to what's going on around them, not drones who can do only the exact tasks that have been described to them. In fact, many employers look for creativity and problem-solving skills as among the top attributes for their future employees. This makes a 3D printer for education a top priority for many classrooms.
Benefit #3: Creativity is Measurable
Many teachers assume that creativity is something that can't be measured. Sure, it's a great thing to see in their students, but they aren't sure how to quantify it. Creativity, however, is still measurable through these key 21st century skills.
- Students continually work to learn new things. They aren't satisfied with their current pool of knowledge, but rather reach to accomplish and learn more.
- Students are open to new ideas and, in fact, actively seek them out. Rather than simply approaching things "the way it's always been done," students are willing to go the extra mile to learn more about the world around them, their profession, or the subject they're currently studying.
- Students find source material from a wide range of sources. They look at different types of media, seek out reports from different people, and attend events to learn more about their subject area.
- Students are able to organize their ideas into different categories and combinations, better preparing them to think outside the box and handle the challenges thrown at them in the real world.
Benefit #4: Creativity is Vital to Technology Use
A majority of jobs today require some expertise in technology. In the next few years, that percentage is expected to increase to 77% of all jobs. Today's students need to be able to assimilate information, use it creatively, and apply it to the technological innovations already present within their workplaces--not to mention adapting to new technology as it's brought in. Students exist in an unprecedented era of learning and creativity, and using that knowledge effectively makes them more employable in the future.
Digilab EDU 3D printer packages facilitate and support 3D printing in educational settings. With 3D printing, you give students the ability to put together their own unique projects right there on the spot, expanding their learning and their understanding of the world around them while advancing their STEM skills. Struggling to come up with a curriculum that includes these vital materials after you buy a 3D printer? We can provide curriculum and resources that will help shape STEM learning and creativity within your classroom, including 3D printer lesson plans.