At Johannes Kepler University Linz, 3D printing is being used specifically to make mathematics lessons more practical. Instead of just looking at geometric shapes on a screen, students can now hold the shapes in their hands thanks to 3D printing. The project uses GeoGebra software, which can be used to model mathematical objects and then output them as physical models.
Professor Zsolt Lavicza from JKU explains in a video that the idea is to strengthen the connection between digital visualization and haptic learning. By touching and looking at the models, learners should develop a better understanding of spatial relationships. In geometry in particular, the physical reference helps to understand complex shapes more easily and grasp mathematical principles more intuitively.
One example from the classroom is the so-called “Genius Square,” a multi-level tic-tac-toe game that is freely available on the Printables platform. Students print out the components themselves and use them to solve combinatorial and geometric problems. Other models, such as puzzle shapes and parametric solids, are also used in the courses.
The use of 3D printers in education is not a new concept, but it is gaining importance due to the increasing user-friendliness of current devices.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
3DPresso is a weekly newsletter that links to the most exciting global stories from the 3D printing and additive manufacturing industry.
