Gamified Learning of Additive Design

The value of additive manufacturing processes (AM, otherwise 3D-printing) has been clearly demonstrated during this pandemic. The global community has energetically developed novel ventilator and PPE solutions in a very short time frame. Frustratingly, the number of designers and engineers with the required knowledge to drive such innovation is very low. In short, there is a critical skills gap in terms of design for AM (DfAM). However, the furlough, quarantine and lock-down presents an unprecedented opportunity to upskill the UK workforce in this regard.

This project will design and deliver a new, highly-interactive educational course. It will move away from the stale, rote learning approaches seen so often in traditional e-learning. Instead, it will rely heavily on 'learn-by-doing', gamified walkthroughs within Gen3D's proprietary DfAM software. This will be free for the next year, and it will be coupled with online teaching materials (videos, assessments, etc.). This will overcome barriers to access during a time of great financial pressure and remote working, directly impacting education and culture. In addition, it will give a rich, deep learning experience to maximise engagement and fulfilment.

E-learning is experiencing significant growth through platforms such as the Code Academy. These interactive, digital environments encourage positive learning where the user has to perform different tasks to progress through the course. Using our bespoke design software, we intend to produce a series of video lectures and interactive case studies to demonstrate best practices and methodologies to consider when designing and producing parts for AM. We will embrace 'gamification', where game-like experiences promote desired behaviours and drive learning outcomes. This methodology is grounded in pedagogical research and is built on constructivist learning, which predicates the need for experiential learning via social interaction with the environment and peers (Zainuddina, 2020).

The course will primarily focus on upskilling quarantined, furloughed or otherwise locked-down engineering or design staff. However, wider impacts may readily extend to disrupted students and hobbyists who are seeking DIY solutions or self-improvement during this challenging time. By delivering this low-cost/free online course, we hope to increase the UK workforce's understanding of AM processes and workflows. It will build awareness surrounding the benefits and drawbacks of AM processes, the economics of using AM and the principles and mindsets that lead to the successful deployment of AM. Looking further, upskilling the UK advanced manufacturing sector will help to maintain a competitive advantage within a global engineering community.

The extension for impact funding will focus on taking the success we've seen to date of our newly developed course and engage with 3 key target industry sectors. This engagement will lead to a new set of targeted lessons which look to bring in industry speakers to showcase the benefits of design for additive manufacturing skills in their sectors. This will be done using a relevant case study for each sector and will help transfer the knowledge and skills gained by each user to their respective industry sectors. The extension will also begin our phase of exploring commercialisation of the course and growing our course to a revenue generating segment of the Gen3D business.