SketchUp
During the week 3 tutorial, I personally experienced how using design tools such as SketchUp and block puzzles could be an effective way to teach students concepts through creativity.
Using the 3D modelling programme SketchUp in primary school settings can be an effective and successful approach to encourage creativity (Shin, 2018). SketchUp may help students improve their artistic capabilities, problem-solving and mathematical understanding,
and problem-solving skills by giving them a platform to design and construct 3D models (Lee, 2016).
In Mathematics, students can utilise SketchUp to strengthen their problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills. Students can explore mathematical ideas such as measurement, symmetry, and angles by building 3D models of famous landmarks, such as the Art gallery of NSW. Students could then display their creations to the class and discuss their inspirations, design decisions, and any difficulties they encountered. This can aid students in deepening their comprehension of spatial relationships and geometry and applying these abilities to actual situations (Chen & Liu, 2020).
Although utilising technology such as SketchUp in the classroom can be advantageous, it is important to understand the pedagogical concerns associated with its use (Li & Ranieri, 2020). Instructors need to be aware of how easily technology might divert students from the activity's intended learning objectives such as students playing around with the SketchUp site instead of creating something. Teachers should also make sure that students understand the rules and responsibilities when using technology and that they always receive the necessary help and supervision.Overall, the incorporation of SketchUp into primary school curricula can offer children a useful setting to promote creativity and acquire a variety of abilities (Baek et al., 2018)
Block Puzzles
Students can learn concepts in a variety of ways that provide them with the chance to develop their skills. The completion of block puzzles in groups is one activity that can be utilised in topics like mathematics to teach geometry and spatial reasoning abilities (NSW curriculum, 2023). Students might be instructed to place blocks in a pattern where each block contacts exactly two others, for instance. A major component of completing block puzzles includes using your creativity to help solve the problem and so encouraging students to participate in this activity fosters creativity. However, with group work, teachers must be vigilant that students are dependent on others and are contributing to solving the puzzles.
References
Chen, Y. & Liu, X. (2020). Application of SketchUp in 3D visualisation teaching of architectural design. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(3), 197-210.
Lee, J. (2016). Using SketchUp in a college art course: A case study. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 26(4), 421-433.
Li, X. & Ranieri, M. (2020). Exploring the use of digital technologies to foster creativity in education: A systematic literature review. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68, 1247-1283.
Shin, S. (2018). Using SketchUp to teach spatial geometry to elementary school students. Journal of Educational Technology and Society, 21(2), 216-225.
Custom syllabuses (2023) stage 3 (years 5-6). NSW curriculum. NSW Education Standards Authority. https://curriculum.nsw.edu.au/stages/primary/stage-3
Sketchup (2023). Design your own. https://app.sketchup.com/app?hl=en
Hi Souraya,
Thank you for this insightful read. I found it interesting how you viewed sketchUp from a mathematical perspective (spatial and geometrical views), rather than simply just a creative platform. You explored both the positive and negative sides of incorporating SketchUp into lessons which was useful. You did the same when you were analysing your experience with the 6 block activity, which was again, insightful.
Regards,
Nouha Kaddour
Hi Souraya,
Reading your blog post about design thinking is enjoyable to read. Your ideas connected to literature are clear to me. Would have love to see your process in making your house on Sketch Up. So that, viewers who haven't used Sketch Up, can gain insight to how your final house product was produced. I agree that students who use any digital platform, i.e. Sketch Up, allows for distraction but as you mentioned, the solution of teaching students that technology is used for a specific purpose is needed to be maintained and therefore students use Sketch up, strictly for learning.
It was good to see another example of design thinking through block puzzles!
Overall good work!
Regards,
Shekane