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Technology Sites
Technology:
An
exciting site on learning CAD:
Space
CAD
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0116628/
GRADE LEVEL: 9-12, Advanced
CONTENT: A+
This ThinkQuest entry offers lessons in computer-aided drafting and design (CAD) for high school students and for adults.
AESTHETICS: A+
SpaceCAD has a Flash intro. The remainder of the site has a simple layout with a bright background that makes reading a little difficult. The site is also available in French and Spanish.
ORGANIZATION: A+
The front-page image map will take visitors to the main parts of the site. A handy site map and all internal pages have a top navigation bar.
REVIEW: A+
Give your students the opportunity to learn about the history of the NASA space program while learning to use CAD (computer-assisted drafting and design) software. A "lite" version of the software is available for download from the site. SpaceCAD offers a series of 11 lessons, slide shows, interactive quizzes, and design projects that are based on authentic technical drawings from NASA. Students will learn the basics for creating two-dimensional drawings, orthographic projections of three-dimensional objects, sectional views, and isometric drawings. One lesson covers the steps that engineers take in the design process. Students can apply their newly acquired skills to complete the design challenges, which include designing a lunar rover, a Mars lander, or a satellite.
RELATED REVIEWS
Vocational: Technology
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/past/topics/voc.shtml#Technology
Science: Space Science
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/past/topics/science.shtml
A great visual Technology site for construction, robots, etc…
Serious Lego
GRADE LEVEL: 6-12, Advanced
CONTENT: A
The creator of this site, hobbyist J. P. Brown, shows how Lego building blocks can be used for creative problem solving.
AESTHETICS: A
The site uses pictures and animations in a user-friendly format. Some of the instructions are in a downloadable DAT file (the standard format for exchanging LDraw-compatible building instruction files).
ORGANIZATION: A
The various creations are linked on the main page, and each internal page has a link back to the home page.
REVIEW: A
The thought of Legos conjures up the image of children snapping blocks together to create simple structures. But this site is not child's play! As the site's name indicates, "serious Lego" users create these devices. For each device, a picture accompanies notes that explain the design process and an animation shows how the device works. All the devices were created using Lego's MindStorm series of robot components that include plastic blocks, microprocessors, motors, and digital cameras. For instance, the Cube Solver was created to solve the Rubik's Cube using video color recognition software and a digital camera. This Web site would be a great tool to use in the classroom to spark creativity, curiosity, and initiative.
RELATED REVIEWS:
Students: General
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/past/topics/students.shtml
Math & Finance: General Math http://www.educationworld.com/awards/past/topics/math.shtm
Science: General
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/past/topics/science.shtmlThe Great Buildings Collection
http://www.greatbuildings.com/
GRADE LEVEL: 9-12, Advanced
CONTENT: A
The Great Buildings Collection is a deep resource for everything architecture. It offers 3-D models, photos, drawings, and more for more than 800 buildings around the world.
AESTHETICS: A
The site uses a clean layout and color to make it interesting. Special software is needed to view the 3-D models and can be downloaded free at the site.
ORGANIZATION: A
Users have several options for finding the information they need. The site is fully searchable by building name, architect, or place and can be browsed using the alphabetical list. There are also navigation bars that lead to the main sections of the site and a picture index.
REVIEW: A
Billed as the "leading architecture site on the Web," the Great Buildings Collection offers up-to-date information on architectural design. It is a great starting point for students or anyone studying architecture. There are sections that cover building types, styles, architects, and places around the world. Many of the records include simple to complex 3-D models, photographs, architectural plans, and the latest in architectural news. Available at the site are also bibliographies, commentaries, and a picture index where visitors can get a glimpse of the buildings without searching through the records and a list of the 30 most-accessed building pages and architect pages.Animated
Engines
Students, start (reading about and watching animations of) your engines!
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/2006/r0506-26.shtml
URL:
http://www.keveney.com/Engines.html
REVIEW: A
This is a good resource for helping students understand how an engine works. The
engines are grouped into three categories: internal combustion, steam and
stirling. Visitors to the site can see the inner workings of a variety of
engines such as the locomotive, jet propulsion, oscillating, and many others
work. The animations are accompanied by explanations of how the engine works and
other diagrams to enhance understanding. Included is an interesting article on
how the animations were created. Perhaps the best thing about the site is that
the animations are made in the animated GIF format, which just about any Web
browser can handle without any additional plug-ins!
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