Implementation of additive technologies in elementary education

Abstract

Abstract. The use of additive manufacturing (AM) in the wider sense at the level of elementary education is not sufficiently analysed in Republic of Croatia at the moment. Partially, CAD/CAM technologies requires far more specialized knowledge than what the Croatian curriculum provides. The application of different technological devices in the educational process, accelerates the teaching process, and makes it more interesting and more acceptable. The knowledge that pupil need to have at the end of schooling is rapidly changing. It is quite possible scenario that most of the knowledge gained during the elementary and secondary education will be obsolete before future student applies to the university. In order to achieve further progress, it is necessary to systematically explain all the possibilities of using these technologies from the elementary level. By developing different strategies, the young generation can focus on the knowledge they will need in their future jobs.

Delphi Prospection on Additive Manufacturing in 2030: Implications for Education and Employment in Spain

“…There are several actions and experiments reported in the literature documenting the advantages of introducing AM into training, both for schools [ 33 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ] and for universities [ 36 , 37 , 39 , 79 ], for teachers [ 38 ], national plans [ 69 , 80 ], and even in libraries [ 35 ]. These experiments have shown that, in addition to the disciplines mentioned inherent to manufacturing, participants also develop other nontechnical skills such as teamwork and collaboration, creativity, flexibility vis-à-vis changes, communication skills, handling of changing information, concentration, planning, perseverance, and self-control.…”

“…The strengths of AM and the challenges—not only technical—to be overcome are classified. The need for competent personnel with specific skills and know-how within this timeframe and the track record of experiments performed regarding teaching combined with AM [ 5 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ] enable the advantages of including AM in syllabuses to be set out from primary education through to university-level courses.…”