Transformation in learning with Pekka Peura

Pekka Peura is a Finnish Physics and Math teacher in upper secondary school. He has developed a schema of individual learning: in this method the teacher isn’t teaching the whole class at once but

students learn the theory independently or in small groups. The biggest transformation in learning these days, according to Peura, is that teachers are not so active in classrooms and basically try to encourage students to learn by themselves and to find their interests. Peura has found that this way students get more motivated.

Peura had been a teacher for a few years when he started to develop his method. “It was an accident. I gave the homework in the first lesson for everyone. And the course was seven weeks long, but after two weeks the first one came to me and said ‘I have done everything’”. Peura realized that there was something that he hadn’t understood before. That also the students that are slower can learn without the pressure when they can learn at their own pace. The teacher can support both, the clever, talented one and also the slower learners.

With 3D technology Peura feels that the nature of learning is transforming: “The students are really

motivated to learn more and playing the active role. They get to do more with their hands and computers.”For example, in one of his Physics classes they started the period with a 3D workshop. After a couple of weeks Peura found some students still working with their models because they found them so interesting. Students gave feedback that they liked the new and interesting things and they wanted more!

"Students are really motivated to learn more and playing the active role”

3DBear helps teachers to motivate students to find their own passion. Even large groups of students get interested when the package is simple and students can create their own “pawprint” and print it in 3D.