PART III: GOOGLE SKETCHUP
SketchUp is a very powerful free program that can be downloaded onto computers and laptops very easily. There are many useful tutorial videos available as well as manuals written to aid users. For the purpose of this project in a Grade 3 classroom, we didn't need all the tools so the learning curve was steep but manageable with support and perseverance. One of the many things I like about SketchUp is the ability to fly through a building as if you were touring it. A few students accidentally discovered they could enter their buildings and it helped increase their interest of the program even more. The majority of students stated they wish to continue playing and learning with the program on their own time in the future.
I wasn't sure if students would be able to create a computer model of the art studio they designed on paper but they helped me prove that SketchUp can be taught to 7 and 8-year-olds. We started off learning about the different icons and tools, created some abstract shapes and then went on to creating a simple 2 room house. I made tutorial handouts but I discovered that most of the girls were not able to simply read and follow directions on their own yet. Nonetheless, I believe handouts were useful because at least all the information was there so that if I wasn't available to help them they could look through the directions on their own while they waited. I was really pleased to see the girls' SketchUp skills improve from week to week, with many girls making impressive discoveries. One student figured out how to add stairs and a second floor. She had previously fiddled around with the program so she didn't need as much instruction. It was great as more and more students understood the program and could become helpers.
We started learning SketchUp at the beginning of October and were able to create a digital model of our art studios by the first week of December. If we had more computer time the girls would have been able to add much more detail and inside walls. I am very proud of their perseverance!
I wasn't sure if students would be able to create a computer model of the art studio they designed on paper but they helped me prove that SketchUp can be taught to 7 and 8-year-olds. We started off learning about the different icons and tools, created some abstract shapes and then went on to creating a simple 2 room house. I made tutorial handouts but I discovered that most of the girls were not able to simply read and follow directions on their own yet. Nonetheless, I believe handouts were useful because at least all the information was there so that if I wasn't available to help them they could look through the directions on their own while they waited. I was really pleased to see the girls' SketchUp skills improve from week to week, with many girls making impressive discoveries. One student figured out how to add stairs and a second floor. She had previously fiddled around with the program so she didn't need as much instruction. It was great as more and more students understood the program and could become helpers.
We started learning SketchUp at the beginning of October and were able to create a digital model of our art studios by the first week of December. If we had more computer time the girls would have been able to add much more detail and inside walls. I am very proud of their perseverance!