Fwd: FWD- Cool New Google Software for ASD kids

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While at a recent conference, we met a Google rep who was there to introducetheir new software - free to kids and schools. It's like autocad for kidsbut very intuitive and with a huge searchable library of user-createdcontent. Very cool if you have a kid who likes to draw or is interested inarchitecture or engineering.<http://sketchup.google.com/> http://sketchup.google.com/Google SketchUp is software that you can use to create, modify and share 3Dmodels. It's easier to learn than other 3D modeling programs, which is whyso many people are already using it.We designed SketchUp's simplified toolset, guided drawing system and cleanlook-and-feel to help you concentrate on two things: getting your work doneas efficiently as possible, and having fun while you're doing it.<http://www.google.com/educators/spectrum.html>http://www.google.com/educators/spectrum.html Children with Autism Architect Their Ideas Using 3D Design SoftwareProject Spectrum was developed by the SketchUp Team at Google to help peoplewith autism take advantage of their visual and spatial gifts. The idea for Project Spectrum originated when we began getting phone callsand emails from users telling us about how much kids on the autism spectrumwere enjoying SketchUp. As the calls kept coming in, we learned that peoplewith autism tend to be visually and spatially gifted-that, in fact, theythink in pictures. When people with these gifts get their hands on powerful,easy-to-use 3D design software like SketchUp, sparks tend to fly. Inspired by what we've learned, we've partnered with the Boulder, Coloradochapter of the Autism Society of America, the Boulder Valley SchoolDistrict, and the Life Long Learning Lab at University of Colorado toprovide children with software and guidance that may help them to express anidea or even develop a life skill.* <http://sketchup.google.com> Try Google SketchUp - free 3D designsoftware * <http://www.google.com/educators/community.html> Sign up for theGoogle for Educators Newsletter * <http://groups.google.com/group/google-for-educators?lnk=gschg>Join our online community at the Project Spectrum Google Group * <http://sketchup.google.com/sptutorials.html> Learn to use SketchUpwith Self Paced Tutorials * <http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dcdkdbkp_0c88w7ndd> Download theProject Spectrum Manual of Lesson Plans=