Assignment 11.2 - Reading Takeaways

 Reading Takeaways

Paulo Blikstein made several cogent arguments for the integration of digital fabrication in the K-12 classroom, not least of which is the empowerment that comes with professionally making something. He lost me, though, when he eschewed craft  as a “middleman” in the design process, and compared the pride with which students display the symmetrical, even objects they laser cut or 3D Printed, versus the apathy or shame that comes with sharing a handmade object. Whom among us hasn’t sheepishly brought home our share of wonky ceramic cups or presented a diorama with walls that could be toppled by a classmates’ sneeze? 

In manufacturing, craft is automated – that’s the point. You have to get the thing made quickly so you can make another thing, and another, and another. And the students who fell under the spell of the “keychain syndrome” understood this! They could make unlimited keychains! But I think there needs to be a balance between the handmade and the digitally fabricated, while tapping into the need for tinkering, play and experimentation.