Thing 13: 21st Century Conference
I “attended” Joe Bire’s Google SketchUp Unleased…rather, I sat in the comfort of my living room, even pausing to eat diner. I like to format of learning without the added time of travel.
Joe Bires introduced Google SketchUp as an “engaging and empowering” tool for teaching students about 3-D space. In addition to talking about the importance of using a tool such as SketchUp to allow students to solve 3-D problems, he gave great suggestions about the progression of introducing SketchUp to a class:
- Select the architectural design template
- Start with the orbit tool to look at objects from various perspectives
- Use the rectangle tool to draw a rectangle
- Use the push/pull tool to make the rectangle 3-D
- Use the circle tool to draw a circle
- Use the push/pull tool to make a cylinder from the circle
By starting with these essential SketchUp tools, Joe Bires feels the students are less likely to be overwhelmed and result in success for students.
He made connections to problem solving throughout his presentation. He suggests that teachers help students explore historical 3-D problems and solutions to overcome these, such as the creation of the Golden Gate Bridge.
I am in the process of planning a 3-D geometry unit with my 6th grade math classes. I am excited to incorporate these ideas from the conference session and hope that my students also feel engaged and empowered.
Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)
April 2nd, 2010 at 2:15 pm
I found your choice very interesting. When I have more time I will be sure to look through more of the actual presentation too.