Since I am more familiar with coding than 3D design, I decided to play around in Tinkercad. I spent a lot of time playing around with different shapes, not really sure what I wanted to create, and at the end of my hour timer, I came up with a very simple and unfinished book design. I was originally trying to create a character, but that was taking too much effort, so I scrapped it for my current design. There is still a lot that I need to learn how to do in Tinkercad, and given more time, I’m sure I’d figure out how to do more.
I think designing in 3D is fantastic, and it definitely encourages computational thinking. In the article by Libraries Ready to Code (n.d.), it states, “CT involves identifying problems, breaking apart or decompressing the problem into smaller parts, finding patterns, and designing solutions” (para. 3). As I was trying to design a 3D object, I was certainly coming across problems that I had to solve and creating solutions. Of course, I didn’t have the time to solve all that I wanted to solve, but given more time I would more than likely have been able to.
Furthermore, 3D printing is something that has always fascinated me (as I’m sure it does a lot of people), and I think it is a great tool for school makerspaces. Sekinger (2019) really inspired me to see that when done well, 3D printing in a makerspace can become an engaging tool that students are drawn to: “From collaborative lessons, in which we partner with classroom teachers to our own maker programs, our students know our mission: yes, you can make something too!” I think it is really powerful for students to know that they are welcome to create a 3D design that will actually get printed, whether it be for a class project or something they have created for fun. I have not seen students too involved with 3D printers, and I think connecting with teachers and showing them the creative options could be a powerful tool to get more students involved and creating.
References
Libraries Ready to Code (n.d.). How computational thinking fits within library services. https://www.ala.org/tools/readytocode/how-computational-thinking-fits-within-library-services
Sekinger, N. (2019, February 28). Making a place for 3D in our school library. IMade3D. https://www.imade3d.com/2019/02/making-a-place-for-3d-in-our-school-library/
I am now hooked on 3D design and printing! I agree that it is fantastic and requires more computational thinking than I originally imagined. I love your 3D book! Great job!
Awesome! I love the book. I didn’t get a chance to play with Tinkercad but I am excited to try it out. Nice work.
Great book creation. It took me forever to play with Tinkercad. I know it can be done, but like you it took me a long time to figure out the whole system!
Your book looks great! I really want to try it now.
I thought the management suggestions in the articles were helpful too. The technology is great but if you don’t know how to make it fit into your schedule with all of your other responsibilities, it won’t get used.
I agree that 3D work would be a great way to engage students in problem solving and in the content, with well designed lessons! I am impressed with your book! I was having trouble grabbing the right little boxes to move and resize shapes, but I think that maybe a larger screen or better mouse would have been helpful. That brings up the need for the appropriate technology to do the job. Thanks for sharing your book!
Great book design! I love it. I also tried out TinkerCad and was inspired by Sekinger’s blog post. They way he described the students’ excitement and pride in their creations really inspired me to create something of my own. I can definitely see this being used very successfully in our library at school. Thanks, Amy!
Love your book! Like you, I started a few designs and ended up deleting them. Designing was harder than it looked.
Nice job on your 3-D book!! That is farther than I got. The quote you quoted, “CT involves identifying problems, breaking apart or decompressing the problem into smaller parts, finding patterns, and designing solutions” – I’m thinking I didn’t get to those levels of thinking when I was working on mine. LOL! It was frustrating and I am a visual person. Then trying to find patterns and solutions… I don’t think I could find them. I am not into puzzles much, so I struggled.