Greetings from the AT&T Classroom at Kent State University! It was wonderful to have Streetsboro fifth graders with us this past week. We are excited to share some highlights during their time here as the students participated in Kent State research projects and explored 3D modeling tools. The fifth graders used the modeling tools to design 3D-printed math manipulatives that could be used to support their understanding of adding and subtracting fractions.
Kent State University Research Highlights: Harnessing Technology to Support Learning
The AT&T Classroom serves as a lab setting for Kent State faculty to investigate ways in which various technologies can be used to support teaching and learning. The fifth graders participated in two research projects this past week. One study examined the use of various digital learning platforms for learning and understanding scientific information. A second study investigated the use of concrete manipulatives as learning tools to help children multiply and divide multi-digit numbers.
3D Slash: Unleashing Creativity in Three Dimensions
The fifth graders started their journey into the world of 3D modeling with an introduction to 3D Slash. This intuitive software allows students to sculpt and manipulate three-dimensional objects with ease. Its user-friendly interface simplifies the complex process of 3D modeling, making it accessible even for beginners. With 3D Slash, students can chisel, dig, and paint virtual blocks to bring their imagination to life. This tool promotes critical thinking and creativity as students design and build intricate models. By delving into 3D modeling, the students are not only honing their digital design skills but also cultivating spatial reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
Tinkercad: Where Ideas Take Shape
In addition to 3D Slash, the fifth graders also explored Tinkercad, a free online platform for students to easily create, modify, and refine 3D models for printing. Using ready-made shapes and objects, students can design almost anything. The platform also allows students to create models using codeblocks or freehand drawings. The fifth graders used Tinkercad to design shapes for math manipulatives that were downloaded as STL files for 3D-printing.