Chapter 8

This chapter was full of information that I never encountered before. I always associated design with "interior" design or more artistic subjects. I never learned or gave much thought to CAD (computer aided design) programs or how engineering could be included in the classroom.

However, after reading about it it makes a lot of sense that things like pro/desktop be explored in the classroom. Perhaps if I had explored a program like this I wouldn't be as spatially challenged as I am! I think for any kid to really hone their design skills they need to design. Since technology is taking precedence in the classroom and in the world, CAD softwares are going to become more important than ever as more jobs will require an understanding of how to use them.

A small note: I love how pro/desktop gives students feedback when their designs are impossibly structured. Thats how kids will learn the fundamentals of mechanical design.

I was especially interested in the simulations section when it discussed the construction of a trebuchet catapult. When I was in eighth grade I had to build a catapult and we were not required to do anything but draw a 2d picture (without dimensions listed) before building them on our own. I cannot explain in words how many different failed attempts we went through before getting a working catapult. We went through so many designs and we could not locate where the problem was. If only we had used a simulation program! I highly doubt that any students today would get it right on their first try, so without simulations this project will keep resulting in a lot of effort and supplies going to waste. This project is far more effective when students recognize patterns in their mistakes and learn to correct them, as the chapter suggests.

Scratch is obviously a design-tool gem that can be used for any subject. It also helps kids get comfortable with designing. This is probably the most versatile and applicable design tool for the elementary grades.

Music class is often the most exciting time in a students day- why not combine this beloved subject with a constructivist design tool like impromptu so that students are learning the most that they possibly can? Impromptu looks amazing, like Scratch but with a set subject in mind (music). They were both designed by MIT and are both equally valuable tools.