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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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. 💕

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.