ReturnEngineering with Paper: Teaching CAD Skills with Paper Shapes
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Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom Lobby, Table 27
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Session description
Purpose & objective
Spatial reasoning is the ability to visualize 3 dimensional objects from different perspectives. The skills developed when mastering spatial visualization apply to understanding, considering, dissecting and solving a wide range of problems. This session will focus on how to help students develop visualization skills and will start by learning a methodology called Engineering with Paper that uses a alphabet of shapes to teach engineering and spatial reasoning. After exploring 3 dimensional paper shapes we will move on to CAD and design programs. Particular attention will be paid to Tinkercad as the CAD program and Spatial Vis as a sketching app designed to teach spatial understanding. Both program are free for educators.
Outline
After a brief introduction about the value of learning spatial reasoning (which anyone who has tried to pack a box or a suitcase can understand) We will jump right in with hands on activities of making some simple 3 dimensional paper shapes. Once everyone has a collection of shape we will "build" with them - a boat, a city, an amusement park or other suggestions from the audience. These paper models will all be made with copy paper and tape and will fit easily on tables. We will spend some time on how to make, and how to teach, techniques for easily making three dimensional paper shapes and then explore digital products that employ the same shapes, in different ways. We will explore free CAD software and have a discussion about how starting with the paper shapes prepares students for CAD design.
Supporting research
There are many articles and websites that document the value of learning and strengthening spatial reasoning or spatial visualization skills. It helps with everything from being able to pack a suitcase to understanding how to look at a problem from different perspectives. Here are links to two websites that explain the research on this topic.
https://www.engageengineering.org/spatial/whyitworks/learnmore/https://egrove.education/results
Session specifications
Designer
- Use technology to create, adapt and personalize learning experiences that foster independent learning and accommodate learner differences and needs.
- Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.
- Explore and apply instructional design principles to create innovative digital learning environments that engage and support learning.