How can you design educational materials that engage students with 3D technology?

From a med tech perspective, many who may have an early interest in medicine, particularly surgery, would greatly benefit from VR/AR experiences in a virtual OR as part of their curriculum - this is the future of physician training and a much more sustainable approach to a necessarily repetitive learning environment. That being said, the ability to effectively LEARN through VR/AR is a skill to be developed, as having VR gaming experience may not be adequate preparation, making this an even more crucial element to include early in medical education.

Using 3D tech in education invigorates learning. Tips for engagement: incorporate interactive 3D models for tangible understanding, use VR for immersive experiences, and AR for practical visualization. Gamify learning with 3D games, encourage 3D printing for hands-on creation, and promote collaboration in design projects. Tailor resources to diverse learning styles, and provide continuous feedback for growth. These strategies create a dynamic learning environment, fostering deep understanding and appreciation.

immersive VR worlds support interactive experiences and can be used as "sandbox" style spaces exploration, instead of clear instructions, students my creative new unexpected outcomes.

in terms of virtual 3d materials, engaging with students on the platforms where they are creating, and collaborating can bring about meaningful feedback, and iteration in the development process.

I used to teach 3D modelling to beginners. My older classes and resources were very much to the tune of "this button is here, press it. Then press this button." It was very hard to enjoy and of course it led to the same outcomes for each student. I started switching to something more like miniature challenges, where learners would be given a basic, empty cubic space and a single verb like "Twist it!", "Compress it!", "Break it!" Then they could use that verb however they like and there may be multiple solutions. Nowadays it's very easy to support learners to find resources online. We can promote their independence and discovery from the very beginning.

In my experience, independence and discovery are the most rewarding experiences for learners. Tools are getting more user-friendly with shorter, shallower learning curves to bring users on-board quickly with a feeling of competency, which enables more creative exploration.