Possibilities are only hampered by a lack of imagination

Possibilities are only hampered by a lack of imagination

As a student of the 80s, I can still remember back to when my principal of Moorak Primary School in Australia, population 72, was so excited when we received our first dot matrix printer. Three hours of mind numbing noise as the printer screeched back and forth and 15 pages later, he proudly presented us with a banner for our school. We were at the forefront of technology!

Strangely enough, as a teacher today, I now understand how he felt. I find myself in the same position as we frantically try to complete our mathematics inquiries before the forthcoming mini-exhibition on Ancient Civilisations.

3D printing, although not unheard of was not something I had experienced before. However, our deliberate transdisciplinary planning, the advice of our digital integrators and Nexus’s investment in digital maker space, all combined to provided our year 6 students with a rich learning opportunity.

Our Space and Shape learning experiences became more engaging and accessible as we used our exploration of Ancient Civilisations to provide a rich context for inquiry into Mathematics.

Students inquired into 2D and 3D shapes of ancient architecture, and then had the opportunity to create their own representations using digital software (TinkerCad) and 3D a printer.

Of course there were mistakes... frustrations… and more mistakes… as there always is with something new. But isn’t inquiry supposed to be a little bit messy?

Looking back to 30 years ago and thinking about what we used to have… and what we have now… I wonder what it will look like in the future?

Year 6 Team - Nexus International School