Introduction
As I have mentioned in the previous blog posts: Fusion 360 is a powerful tool that combines CAD, CAM, and CAE software into one platform, making it essential for modern design and engineering. Learning Fusion 360 not only equips individuals with a valuable skill but also serves as an excellent opportunity to role model resilience and the power of goal-setting to students. Here are a few points why I think this major project is worth the effort.
1. Personal Growth: Learning how to be a good team player
Committing to learning Fusion 360 by setting a specific project goal, such as designing a 3D model for students to be able to replicate, enhances your and the students’ design and engineering capabilities. While learning new software can be challenging, it’s important to emphasize resilience and continuous improvement. This is a great way to learn how to be open to ideas and to be an effective communicator. You can’t do a project by yourself for it has risks that need to be mitigated.
2. Role Modeling perseverance, resilience and Goal-Setting
Benjamin Bloom mentioned that an educator’s goal is to increase a student’s level of perseverance is by enhancing the frequency evidence of success in learning. Well let’s start with my experience as a learner. I started this process alone and quickly found out that it was important for me to build a community so I can increase evidence of successful learning. This is done by setting a goal, seeing success in your learning which builds resilience and increases your level of perseverance. Through my documenting of my learning journey, including the challenges faced and how you overcame them, demonstrates to me and my students that achieving goals requires dedication and resilience. By sharing your experiences, you show that it’s okay to struggle and that perseverance leads to success, fostering a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the foundation for inquiry based learning in my opinion.
3. Creating a Resource for Teachers
Developing a comprehensive guide for teachers to use Fusion 360 in their classroom can be incredibly valuable. My vision is to first offer this as an option as a Grade 9 survey course. The big picture is we can expand the course to the point students must work together in a Project Based Learning environment to attain a common goal. This survey course would serve as a step-by-step guide, have students learn to “copy” the techniques to complete certain projects. Once they learn the basic skills let them put their creativity in engaging project ideas. Like it was stated in the video “Everything is a Remix” you need to copy endlessly until you can take the next step to creating something unique from the learner/student’s perspective.
4. Teaching Valuable Life Skills for the 21st Century
Integrating Fusion 360 projects with lessons on critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork prepares students for future challenges. These skills are essential for success in the modern world, helping students develop both technical and life skills that will benefit them in various aspects of their lives. I work with students on the weekend where I teach coding. I have one particular group that are very advanced. They are wonderful students and work very hard on their skills in technology. One area they all need to work on is on how to work together as a team. Wow, even getting them to sit in proximity with each other took weeks. Now, with Fusion 360 they were able to share each others work on the assigned project. As mentioned in previous blog posts, I have the students creating a robotic hand from scratch. It’s interesting to see the students realize they can’t complete this project alone. Simply put, you have to make sure all the pieces fit together. Below is an example of the “Wrist” section which will house the servos, Arduino and power source that will manipulate the “Hand” section.
Learning Fusion 360 is more than just acquiring a technical skill; it’s an opportunity to inspire and educate others. By committing to this journey, I hope to role model perseverance, resilience and goal-setting, and create valuable resources for teachers to help students develop both technical and life skills. Embrace the challenge and make a positive impact on the next generation of learners.
5. Realization of the Need for Diverse Learning Materials
When I first started learning Fusion 360, I relied heavily on a single source of material that was directly from Autodesk. While this initial resource provided a solid foundation, I soon realized that mastering such a comprehensive tool required a more diverse approach. The complexity and depth of Fusion 360 meant that I had to find other resources so I could understand it in a more clear fashion. This realization prompted me to seek out additional learning materials to fill in the gaps and broaden my understanding. Some of the learning resources are listed below:
Fusion 360 Tutorial for Absolute Beginners – Part 1
Getting Started with Fusion 360 Part 1 BEGINNERS START HERE
Day 1 of Learn Fusion 360 in 30 Days for Complete Beginners! – 2023 EDITION
While I am learning at times the projects I am working with students go beyond my ability. So at times we will create something in Fusion 360 and then transfer the STL file back to Tinkercad and will add another piece to the model. This is not my first choice but if there is one positive it is that you are learning to use different platforms to achieve a goal.
Lastly, online courses on platforms offered by Autodesk provides a comprehensive and structured learning paths. These learning modules helped reinforce my learning and track my progress.
So what have I learned to this point?
In today’s digital age, the availability of open education resources has revolutionized the way we learn. Whether you’re learning in isolation or collaborating with others. It truly is a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. However, the approach you take can significantly impact your learning experience and outcomes. First, you must first understand what type of learner you are. For me, I love to learn kinesthetically, so learning while doing is optimal for me. This blog explores the differences between learning in isolation and working with others, highlighting the benefits of collaborative learning and the importance of setting and meeting learning objectives.
Learning in Isolation
Learning in isolation can be a deeply personal and introspective journey. It allows you to set your own pace, focus on your specific interests, and develop self-discipline. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges. For me I did not have a lot of input due to obvious reasons regarding how I was going to learn Fusion 360. In isolation you may miss the obvious questions that need to be asked. As human being we all have blind spots.
Meeting Learning Objectives
Setting clear learning objectives at the start was and still is a crucial building block to learning. . When learning alone, it’s important to define what you want to achieve and create a roadmap to get there. Tracking your progress against these objectives helps you stay on course and make necessary adjustments. One point that needs to be made is that if you find you are stalling it is critical to look outward for learning resources and outward sources of motivation (more to come on that point). Without the support and feedback from others, it’s easy to feel stuck or overwhelmed. The lack of diverse perspectives can also limit your understanding and creativity.
The Power of Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning, on the other hand, leverages the collective knowledge and experiences of a group. It transforms the learning process into a shared journey, making it more engaging and effective. For me working with the students was a huge motivator. For one their was exchanging of ideas, people were also willing to support each other when someone had a challenge and wanted to the best input on how to address an issue. With all humility, the students actually pushed me in my learning.
Created by Quotev
Conclusion
Whether you choose to learn in isolation or collaborate with others, open education resources provide a wealth of opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. However, the power of collaborative learning cannot be overstated. By setting clear learning objectives, tracking your progress, and engaging with a community of learners, you can enhance your learning experience and achieve your goals more effectively. Embrace the journey, and don’t be afraid to reach out and learn with others, even if you are the teacher and the ideas are coming from the students. The collective wisdom and support of a learning community can make all the difference.