Web Based Site #11 - CADventures in Tinkering
CADventures in Tinkering
Last weeks blog was about using the website code.com. This allowed students to learn how to well code, or using directions/clues to tell the computer (in this case the games) what to do. By coding, students are learning how computers work and the process of how video games are created. Since technology is becoming a huge part of our world, coding is a skill that students should have an idea of what the concept is and how it works. This week, I would like to stick with the same theme. I remember back in the early 2000s (yes that is when I went to school) going to library meant reading a story with the class, doing a mini project/lesson about the book, and then students go look for books. Today, that is not the case. Going to library means learning how to use technology, how to find/use databases, and learning how to use sites to make presentations and apply the information you learned into a project. This weeks site, just like coding, is learning how to tell the computer to do something, but the difference is that the doing something is physically creating something. I'm sure we have all heard of 3D printing and that is what I want to talk to you about in today's blog. Tinkercad is a site that will help with any and all 3D printing needs.
As we may know, 3D printing is playing a huge roll in our world today. By using 3D printing, a countless number of things have been created such as, but not limited to - jewelry, accessories, clothing, phone accessories, prosthetics and other medical needs, car parts, houses, food, and so much more. Before we get to making some of these elaborate things, we need to start small and practice just like in anything you do. Tinkercad is the place to do this. Tinkercad allows students to create anything they can imagine and get it 3D printed. Many school districts now have 3D printers in either all their schools or at least one of them. Lets get Tinkercading.
To start with Tinkercard, open up the website and sign up, don't worry, this is free. After signing up, you will be bought to the home page where you will see your account. The home page has tabs such as - classes, designs, tutorials, gallery, learn, and more. On classes, you are able to put all of the students into your profile and divide them up by teachers name. Let's get started on actually creating something. On designs, there is a box that says create, you are going to click that and a drop down box will appear, we are clicking on 3D design. It will direct you to the designing page. On the page, you are able to view the landscape in different ways and zoom in/out on it. There is also an option to import and export designs from other places as well. To start you are going to click on a shape that you would like to create. On the basic shapes tab, there are other options for different shapes that you are able to create under different categories. This is where the fun can begin. Have students mess around with the shapes or plan lessons to have them create something specific. After the design is completed, students are able to print the design. Depending on how big it is, it may take longer or shorter. If students are not done with their projects, that's ok, it will save the work and students can access it later on. That's it, that's Tinkercad. The imagination is the only thing that makes limits while using Tinkercad. It is a great thing that students can use any time and any where. Once they build one thing, they will want to create everything that they love and they will be begging you to print all their designs.
So, what will you have your students create in Tinkercad. Here is the link to the site; post the pictures of the designs your students have created, and as always, let me know what you think:
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