Utah: Goddard School of Business & Economics Implements 3D Printing Projects into Coursework

Taken from 3DPrint.com

by Bridget Butler Millsaps

Here at 3DPrint.com we spend a lot of time discussing the benefits of 3D printing and how they are relevant around the world from offering transformation in manufacturing to allowing for incredible self-sustainability in developing nations. Around the globe, thanks to 3D printing, many can look forward to a better quality of life and better healthcare. We can look forward to more independence in making things as artists, designers, and engineers. From saving lives to completing work projects to just goofing off, the 3D printer is a new impetus for creation—and change.

One segment where 3D printing is also charging ahead and allowing for enormous opportunity is that of the business owner and the fledgling marketer and entrepreneur. From storefronts to new service bureaus, many businesses are opening and are centered around this new technology. And while we often discuss how crucial it is right now to get 3D printing into school curricula for the younger set, bringing them up right so that they can one day step into amazing jobs with comprehensive skill sets, what about the here and now for business students? While it’s great to be working on the future, employers are also desperately looking for graduates who have what it takes in digital design and 3D printing today.

 

One other very important element however, is the importance 3D printing can play just in allowing students to complete projects while they are in school.  And Ogden, Utah’s Weber State University has taken the lead to see that their students are very well-equipped with the tools they need, allowing them to go past concepts and plans to actual prototypes and physical products. At theirJohn B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, one of the fundamental design courses in information systems and technologies has for years required that students attending the class make websites and develop databases.

Times are changing though, and it’s time to switch things up—according to a tech savvy group at the business school who wanted to go in a new direction with 3D printing. Their idea was to use the technology to go beyond conceptual projects and web design. With 3D printers they could take projects all the way through to the prototyping and production stage and then develop data regarding sales and other information. It’s not too surprising to hear that they had support with their ideas, and with the okay from the business school Dean, assistant professor Jeff Clements used research funds to buy the 3D printers.

“3D Printing is an emerging technology that has the capability to change the face of the business environment in a way we haven’t seen since the industrial revolution,” Clements said. “Business students should know how this technology works.”

He was then responsible for integrating the technology into the Information Systems & Technologies (IST) program, excited about extending both learning and enthusiasm further for his students, allowing them to do more within the class, and add to their skill set.

“We really want students to have the opportunity to do some interesting, cutting-edge things that help them understand not only the business environment today, but also what the business environment will look like in the future,” Clements said.

 

Continue the article here.