FWD- Cool New Google Software for ASD kids

[Guest guest]

While at a recent conference, we met a Google rep who was there to

introduce

their new software - free to kids and schools. It's like autocad for

kids

but very intuitive and with a huge searchable library of user-created

content. Very cool if you have a kid who likes to draw or is

interested in

architecture or engineering.

<http://sketchup.google.com/> http://sketchup.google.com/

Google SketchUp is software that you can use to create, modify and

share 3D

models. It's easier to learn than other 3D modeling programs, which is

why

so many people are already using it.

We designed SketchUp's simplified toolset, guided drawing system and

clean

look-and-feel to help you concentrate on two things: getting your work

done

as 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 Software

Project Spectrum was developed by the SketchUp Team at Google to help

people

with autism take advantage of their visual and spatial gifts.

The idea for Project Spectrum originated when we began getting phone

calls

and emails from users telling us about how much kids on the autism

spectrum

were enjoying SketchUp. As the calls kept coming in, we learned that

people

with autism tend to be visually and spatially gifted-that, in fact, they

think 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,

Colorado

chapter of the Autism Society of America, the Boulder Valley School

District, and the Life Long Learning Lab at University of Colorado to

provide children with software and guidance that may help them to

express an

idea or even develop a life skill.

* <http://sketchup.google.com> Try Google SketchUp - free 3D design

software

* <http://www.google.com/educators/community.html> Sign up for the

Google 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 SketchUp

with Self Paced Tutorials

* <http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dcdkdbkp_0c88w7ndd> Download the

Project Spectrum Manual of Lesson Plans