Google SketchUp

The ability that Google SketchUp gives students to easily construct elaborate 3D models can provide substantial learning benefits in numerous areas of K-12 education.

Google SketchUp and Architecture
Students can use Google SketchUp and Google Earth to create 3D maps of their school environment or hometown. Working collaboratively, students can construct entire communities of buildings, trees and vehicles. Students involved in community mapping projects can achieve learning objectives in math, geography, social studies, history and industrial technology.

Google SketchUp and Math
Math teachers at every grade level are using Google SketchUp to teach lessons relating to concepts best illustrated in three dimensions:

• Elementary school students can use Google SketchUp to construct and fold together nets to create three-dimensional polyhedra
• Sets of digital manipulatives can be created in order to teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Students can use Google SketchUp to learn about area and volume
• Sets of objects can be arranged to teach set theory
• Google SketchUp can be used to illustrate conic sections
• Trigonometry can be taught by building three-dimensional problems
• Google SketchUp can be used to show volumes of revolution to students studying pre-calculus
  

Google SketchUp and Science
Chemistry students and teachers can use Google SketchUp to build 3D molecules. Physics teachers can set up experiments as 3D models for illustration purposes.

Google SketchUp and Geography
Students and teachers can use Google Earth and Google SketchUp to create geo-scavenger hunts.

Google SketchUp and History
Building 3D models of buildings, towns and cities is a fun way to learn about history, which is, after all, embedded in architecture.