AbstractIn a variety of topics and educational contexts, the development of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology is creating industrial skills shortages and possibilities for innovative teaching methods. As a result, research on these behaviors is developing across a broad variety of education fields, although frequently without reference to other disciplines’ research. To address this issue, this article brings together disparate sources of research to offer a current literature overview of where and how 3D printing is being utilized in education. Six use categories are identified and described as a result of research into the application of 3D printing in schools, universities, libraries, and special education settings: (1) to teach students about 3D printing; (2) to teach educators about 3D printing; (3) as a support technology during teaching; (4) to produce artefacts that aid learning; (5) to create assistive technologies; and (6) to support students. Although evidence of 3D printing-based teaching methods can be discovered in each of these six areas, adoption is still in its early stages, and suggestions for future study and education policy are offered.
Rana et al. (Fri,) studied this question.