A LITERATURE REVIEW ON 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION

Abstract

This study will offer domestic and foreign studies on the application of 3D printing technologies in the fields of education. The aim of this study was to review the studies that had been done in the literature on the application of 3D printing technology in the field of education. Purposive sampling method was used in the study. In this context, it was decided that in the current study, variables such as the distribution of studies on the use of 3D printer technology in the field of education by years, publication types, sample types and sizes, data collection tools and analysis methods were planned to be examined, and at the same time, in-depth analysis of the results was the most appropriate method. 101 studies were accessed in accordance with this research. One of the qualitative research methods used in the study was document analysis, and the data was analysed by examining at the documents that contained details regarding the facts that were the focus of the study. According to the data obtained, it is seen that the studies carried out on 3D printing technology between 2009-2022 are within the scope of educational activities at the K-12 level (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics) and their numbers have increased especially after 2017. It was determined that undergraduate students were preferred the most as the sample group. It was found that, on general, qualitative research methodologies were preferred in the studies under consideration. It was seen that in-class assessments, observations and questionnaires were mostly used as data collection tools. It has been determined that content analysis is generally used in the analysis of the collected data. When the relationship between education and 3D printing technology was examined, it was determined that it can be adapted to all ages and fields and provides great convenience in interdisciplinary studies. Based on these findings, it is thought that it will be more effective to focus on the instructional aspect of 3D printing technology.