A host of new projects created by the people at Google. They haven’t been fully launched yet, and ask for user feedback, so you could use it as a starter for a lesson on the uses of ICT and innovation.
Teacher Review:
Andrew Booker – educational consultant, reviews Google’s free www.sketchup.com
"Sketchup is newly available, free, 3D design software, which is ideal for KS2 through to KS5. Google bought the company who wrote Sketchup and have made the free version available to everyone. There are no registration forms or restrictions and it is available for Windows and Macs.
Sketchup is amazingly easy to use, after a ten-minute introduction to the software, I have had Yr7 pupils building their own 3D play equipment and laying out playground designs. It is a small program that runs well on basic computers. Students find it easy to develop ideas and learn them, though those following the built in ‘self-paced tutorials’ learn fastest.
I have created short films on making an Ipod and a puzzle on my free website, www.ajbooker.co.uk, in the ‘Education>Free Software’ section. It takes only a few minutes to make a 3D pink Ipod, 30 seconds if you practise!
I am planning to use Sketchup with KS3 pupils, downloading bicycle models and getting pupils to design a secure bike rack round them in 3D. Sketchup is great for freeform design, but it can also draw and measure accurately, and has dimensioning tools like a CAD program.
The best thing about it is its sheer simplicity. Create a rectangle and then use the ‘push/pull tool to drag it up into a 3D box. Want to change a side? Drag it and see it move, following your mouse, in real time. Also, it helps greatly that the 3D model files Sketchup produce includes an image of it so you can see all your models from within the file browser.
Perhaps the only downside is the quality of output. You can save jpeg images at screen resolution, but there are ways round this if you are technically minded. Also, it will not export your 3D file in a format other 3D programs can import but I expect someone to add this function soon.
If you are expert in a 3D program already, Sketchup may still impress you because of its sheer speed and flexibility… If you can’t yet build your dreams in 3D, try it… you may surprise yourself and delight your pupils!"
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