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Thank you Dr Liz and Mr Sadd for this interactive session. While I have visited schools that has 3D printing, I never had the opportunity to be part of this process of creation to fruition, until now. While talking to Mr Sadd about the function of some of the items, it really intrigued me. From the prosthetics hand that give people with physical impairments some form of independence and functional skills, and the well thought design of a spoon designed for persons with parkinson. All these possible with 3D printing. These are the marvels of how technology can bring about a significant difference and impact in people's lives.

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Thankful for the great opportunity provided by Dr Liz to train under Saad from Salvage Garden. I never imagined that I could 3D print something for myself and it is a very good learning process.

The points Saad wanted to present were very well illustrated in that if we want to design a product for the user, we need to be engaged in the process if possible and that gives us more ownership, more personal investment and attachment.

Also I appreciate what he mentioned about technology being the enabler, it is an alternative (amongst many others) and not a complete replacement of what is medically necessary. Tech tools can also be introduced in a more fun way to children and our students so that they will be more motivated to try it.

Lastly, co-creation and open source are very important and valuable for sharing of ideas and the sharing of process to create new products or source for assistive tech tools for our Students.

So inspired, was quite interested in attending the workshop at Punggol Library and using some of the free 3D printing materials there! So was my son after I shared with him about the 3D printing and the keychain I made for the family.

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I have always seen how people have used 3D printing for their own use be it for selling of toys, own usage or for cosplay via social media feeds. The interesting fact was the cost of a 3D printing machines, getting cheaper and more affordable for the public to purchase.

The use of the 3D printing software Tinkercad was so much interesting and user friendly as compared to what I had imagine in the beginning.

With the 3D printing, we could customize and built Assistive technology target to the needs of the individual we are supporting and at a lower price as well as compared to the things out in the market for SEN resources.

Most important of all as well it reduce the carbon emission to the surrounding as well!

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I enjoyed the Tinkercad workshop. I was soo surprised that I had something to hold from what I created online. Thank you Dr Liz for this opportunity. I was really amazed at the various examples which was made from 3D printing.

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During the Tinkercad workshop, I had a real AHA moment when I realised just how easy and accessible 3D design can be. Within a single session, I went from learning the basics of Tinkercad to actually creating a personalised keychain—and even got it printed on the spot !What really struck me was how affordable and approachable the technology is. The 3D printer used in the workshop costs around $500, and the filament material (about $30 per 1kg) goes a long way. This opens up incredible possibilities, especially for creating assistive devices for persons with disabilities (PWD). It made me realise that with just basic tools and some creativity, we can rapidly prototype and produce personalised solutions that can genuinely improve lives—without needing a huge budget or industrial equipment

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I love today's 3D printing session. It's one thing watching it on video or looking at the 3D pens in school, and another to design and bring back our own product from 3D printing.

The possibilities of 3D printing is endless considering how more and more individuals or companies are exploring the use of 3D printing. We have seem through examples that Saad how the 3D printing can be and has been applicable in real life. I always thought that 3D printing would be expensive but I learnt that it can actually be cost-effective and sustainable.

I look forward to the day where one day 3D printing can help with the needs of individual with unique needs and cost is not something that is stopping them from accessing what they need to improve their lives.

p.s focus on the process not the end product, because sometimes the end product may fail (like my floating keychain), but we will learn to do better from there.

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It was great to learn how 3D printing is a very cost-effective way to create customised products to address specific needs of individuals. I really enjoyed the hands-on experience of being able to design our own "products" using Tinkercad and even getting them printed out to keep for ourselves.

With the illustration of multiple examples during the session, it truly gave me insights into the relevance and applicability of 3D printing in our work with SEN students. It is a really affordable alternative to expensive AT devices and the best part is that we can design something that suits exactly what the student need instead of trying to match existing AT devices available in the market to our students' needs. We also learned that it usually takes several rounds of refinement and working with the user of the product to finally come up with one that best caters to their needs. Hence, the process of working with the user - getting them to try out and obtain feedback from them is the key to designing the right tool.

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Today sharing was good , it was the first time I see how 3D Art works. However there are also pros and cons where if it is for big scale, it might not be suitable , but if we wants to customize to our student's needs, we can use the 3D Art to create. Moving forward, I will explore on sharing this with my teachers and kids and bring them to try out on their own at the Punggol library to create their own unique items

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Today was my very first hands-on experience with 3D Printing, from designing a simple model on Tinkercad to receiving the final printed product during the workshop itself. It was such a refreshing and insightful learning journey!

I also discovered the exciting possibilities of how 3D Printing can be used to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and diverse needs. This experience has truly inspired me to continue exploring how different technologies can be harnessed to make a positive impact.

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I had a great experience trying out 3D printing for the first time. What struck me most was how accessible it has become and how it opens up a whole world of possibilities.

When I think about co-creation, what really stands out is that it is not just about the final product but also about the process. Involving the user along the way makes the journey just as important as the outcome. The tools or solutions we design are not just functional objects; they carry meaning because they reflect someone else's personal challenges and the ways they can navigate or overcome them. Each creation becomes a possibility to something new for the person using it.

I also realized how open-source designs give us countless blueprints to start from. But it is never about simply copying what already exists. The real value lies in adding our own touch, adapting and shaping these ideas to meet the specific needs of the user. After all, technology is not an end in itself, but an enabler. It creates opportunities for designing, adapting, and connecting ideas to real human needs in ways that are personal and meaningful.

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Thank you, Dr Liz, for organising the interesting session. 3D printing is exciting because it can make things like toys, tools, or even body parts, and promotes accessibility and it is important to include the user into the planning stage.

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This is my first time trying out a 3D printer with the free software Tickercad. I learnt how it can be a tool to create things like the keychain we made. My AHA moment was the technology tool, 3D printer, can support products that meet the needs of people with disabilities needs at a lower cost than commercially purchase. Through technology, products such as hand prosthesis can be made more appealing to wear and reducing the stigma. It is also making what one need rather than mass producing which may create wastage.

I also learnt about the various community support supported by Salvage Garden at Punggol Library. It is heartening especially to learn about stories such as making the coin sorter to help child with intellectual disability to sort coins and encourage use in daily living, making an assistive tool to help one child write on one hand instead of two hands. I’m also in awe of the Braille printer that is completely made in the library. With 3d printer technology, I really appreciate the tool that it provides low-cost solutions, enable the team/ user/ caregiver to co-create together and provide accessibility for people with disabilities.

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Today’s session was truly insightful and engaging! I learned how digital fabrication, open source, and co-creation play vital roles in developing suitable prototypes or assistive technology (AT) designs that align with the needs, wants, and interests of the individual. Tools such as Tinkercad, 3D printing, laser cutting, and thermoforming each have their unique functionalities, benefits, and limitations. I also realized how important the process itself is as an enabler, especially when students and caregivers are actively involved in the design journey.

The framework on inclusive design (user, context, solution) stood out as a practical guide, reminding me that every design should begin with understanding the user, situating it within the real-world context, and then developing an appropriate solution that balances function, accessibility, and sustainability.

✨ My AHA Moment was the realization that good technology does not necessarily mean expensive technology. In my school, my team and I tend to spend alot of our SEN funds getting OT and high tech resources for students, which sometimes end up not serving their full needs. The emphasis on sustainability and cost-saving strategies was refreshing and encouraging.

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First hands-on experience in designing 3D product using the tinker CAD before printer builds the object layer by layer using the plastic materials. This is different from traditional manufacturing, which often cuts or molds materials into shape, 3D.

Trainer also discussed on how 3D materials can be used in many areas such as:

1)Tactile Learning: Students with visual impairments or learning difficulties can touch and manipulate 3D objects to understand shapes, letters, or concepts (Coins pocket)

2)Concrete Visualization: Abstract concepts in math, like counting the number of coins.

In fact, there are many other uses the 3D that actually been used to help those in needs in their daily living skills.

I hope I can also use the skill learnt today to probably think with the my students with special needs to develop a product that can be used in teaching and learning. 💕

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The lesson on 3D printing was an eye-opener for me. I had always thought of it as something costly and out of reach, but I now see how accessible, practical, and adaptable it really is. I was especially struck by its potential to support persons with disabilities, since designs can be customised to meet very specific needs.

For example, I can imagine creating pencil grips or writing guides for students with motor skill difficulties to support their penmanship. While such applications may not be necessary for most students in a mainstream classroom—where simpler solutions like off-the-shelf pencil grips already exist—3D printing becomes very meaningful when there is a child with unique needs that cannot be met by standard tools. I am sure there were times when I wished I could modify some of these off the shelf tools to suit my users better.

This makes me appreciate 3D printing not just as a fascinating technology, but as a targeted intervention tool that can help us bridge gaps and create fairer access to learning for all students.

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Tinkercad is a great platform for beginners to use and explore the endless possibilities

it brings ideas to life and helps provide assistance to those who may need AT devices to gain access to a better quality of life

learning by doing together to learn the application component of 3d printing was beneficial

having Saad share about perspectives in a local and international context is helpful too

thank you so much for having this as part of our module!

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3D printing can bring about a lot of possibilities.

include the user & caregiver in the process of design and also make sure the user test out, so that we can adapt and change the design accordingly

learnt about using thinkercad software, so I can design and print!

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I learnt how to use Tinkercad to create something personal for myself using 3D printing. I would like to explore more at Punggol Regional Library on Sunday to find more cool stuff to learn. This is helpful for us to apply the skills and AT tools in our role of work to help others and I think the idea of co-creation with the user is really important to meet the specific needs.

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3D Printing is very interesting experience using Tinkercad. Love the product that i get to bring home. I think being cost effective will enables more people with real life problem to remove barriers and improve their living. Thank you Dr Liz and Mr Saad for the engaging session. I am thinking to introduce this as a learning journey to Punggol Library for 3D Printing. probably will also check out @dina.a.amin and @simonegiertz.

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Experience hands-on was enjoyable and allowed us to have some kind of skill sets to know the process. Working closely with not only the client but also the professional as well as caregiver to give inputs and ideas for the prototype. The community allows us to co-create and share ideas. Saad shared how we can also pull out some ideas from other makers/creators as well as community events which allows us to participate and look into future plans to apply in our role of work or helping the community. Thank you, Dr Liz, for planning this. (:

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Today's workshop on 3D printing has impressed me on how technology is now more readily accessibly. More importantly it is now more affordable to customise. I also learnt the importance of working alongside the user as the process of creating a individualised AT may take several tries and finetuning in order to arrive at the most useful and efficient way. I am so encouraged that the community for this space is growing and supportive.

I had a fun time exploring tinkercad. Although this was not the first time I have used it, the facilitator made a real difference in getting my engagement and helped me learn better. Again, I'm reminded that it is the process that will help me grow.

Thank you Dr Liz for arranging this!

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The introduction workshop on 3D printing was very insightful. I was very amazed by the creation of items that the presenter shared. The hands-on experience on Tinkercad was very cool, something new to explore. I should say that was my “Aha moment”. I managed to follow the instructions to create a 3D item which I am very proud of!

Once again, it allowed me to reflect that the importance of this learning was the process and not how accurate or right it should be. As the presenter shared, we need to keep trying to get the right fit. It is important that we understand the user and even get them to learn and do it.

As much as we want to fix things for our students, but we need to be aware that it is not about fixing rather how the 3D design will help the user. It is truly a process to hear the issues, how to rectify develop the item to help the user and all these will need a lot of reflections and feedback.

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1. It would be good to include the person who needs the AT in the planning and creating process.

2. Tinkercad is a great platform to start exploring 3D printing.

3. The process is more important than the product.

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1. It is good to think out of the box, make use of simple and low-cost materials to create a tool that can aid an individual.

2. The tool of creation can be a replicate from someone else’s design, but it is key to put in my personal flavour or customisation to the tool.

3. I learnt a new term-Allyship. It is vital to be an ally and involve the individual in the process of creating the tool and modify as I go along.

4. It is important to visualise and put myself in the position of the individual whom I can considering to use the tool for.

5. The process is key and is crucial as compared to the end product.

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I learnt how to play around with TinkerCAD and to see the final 3D product was an experience in itself. It will be fun for the user and caregiver to also have a go at the designing phase. Furthermore, as was shared, it is important to include the user and caregiver in the process of creation and testing of the product. Often times, as creators, there could be blind spots in the creation process. By co-creating, we can build on each others resources and improve on the creation process and product.

After all, as shared by the speaker and Dr Liz, the process is more important than the end product.

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Digital Fabrication, OpenSource and Co Creation are structured steps taken to co-creating 3D printable assistive devices. The process is magical! My Aha moment is when Sa'ad mentioned that what was created and invented assisted the person with need to carry out day-to-day routines with ease. I like how a girl called Zoe in the video; she did not know how useful fingers are till she used a finger-grip tool to write. It is eye-opening how technology can guide these initiatives foster compassionate, collaborative and future-ready learners.

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It is interesting to learn about 3D printing.

1. The basics of tinkercad is rather intuitive. I am interested to explore more in my own free time.

2. It is eye-opening to learn about the the possiblities for 3D printed products and the logistics and cost behind it.

3. The resources shared about all the prototypes and designs available is useful. It is heartening to know that there is a community out there who is passionate about 3D printing and using this technology to improve daily living and learning.

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1. Today’s workshop on 3D printing for AT showed me that the process—especially involving users and caregivers—matters just as much as the final product. Technology is always the enabler, not a solution on its own.

2. “help me, don’t fix me” reminds me to remove barriers, avoid stigma and honor dignity.

3. Co-creation and critical making ensure solutions are meaningful because people with lived experience must remain at the center. Allyship means walking alongside others; true innovation is collaborative, respectful, and rooted in real needs.

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Exploring tactile technology through design platforms like Tinkercad, improve my understanding of assistive customization. Initially, I assumed that creating personalized tools would be costly and complex. However, discovering free open-source files that allow us to download, print, and even modify existing designs revealed how accessible and cost-effective customization can be. This experience highlighted the power of digital fabrication in meeting individual needs, especially for students with disabilities and showed that meaningful innovation doesn’t always require expensive solutions, just the right tools and mindset.

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1) There is a need to involve the person with disability in the process of planning and co-creation of the AT

2) 3D printing requires multiple sessions - the first rendition might be imperfect but that is okay, further edits will refine the product

3) 3D printing is actually very eco-friendly which is surprising to me. it is also cost-effective and I think encouraging that more uses of this is on the horizon. Making play and work adaptive to the needs of the individual.

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My first experience with 3D printing was genuinely enjoyable, especially having the opportunity for hands-on learning. However, I found it quite challenging to transition from 2D thinking to visualising and designing for 3D printing - this is definitely one of the trickier aspects for me. It requires practice to mentally rotate the chosen shapes and patiently envision how the final printed product will appear. There is always that "lingering" question: will the proportions turn out as expected...?

As others have noted, 3D printing has become increasingly accessible over the years, opening up countless possibilities for people who need custom parts, prototypes, or simply want to bring their creative ideas to life. It is encouraging to see this technology becoming more affordable and widely available.

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1. The possibility of accommodation customised to suit the needs

Prior to 3D printing, many things are one size fit all. However, we saw that there are people with different needs. For example, the coin holder is available in the market but there is no localised context. Therefore, 3D printing open up options for people with needs.

2. Co-creation

In a group, we get to share ideas and learned from each other. Through the discussion, we can tap on each other’s creativity to recreate something even better. With the little girl without hand, through co-creation, she discovered that she could write differently in a way she has never imagined. Hence, co-creation opens up a whole of options available.

3. Learning by doing

@simonegiertz is a reminder to me that learning is not just frontal teaching. Students need to try and fail for a more meaningful learning journey. Similar, while we were learning how to design the 3D design, we learned better when we make the mistakes and rectifying with the more knowledgeable others. It is not a mistake, it is a learning experience.