Google's SketchUp Software
and
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Project Spectrum Manual of Ideas
for Teachers or Parents
Written by Anja Kintsch
with support from
The Boulder Valley School District and
the Autism Society of Boulder County
and
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Project Spectrum Manual of Ideas
for Teachers or Parents
Written by Anja Kintsch
with support from
The Boulder Valley School District and
the Autism Society of Boulder County
A few years ago, the SketchUp team at Google, which develops Google's software for creating and sharing 3D models, made an interesting discovery. The team receives lots of emails from customers around the world and it turned out that a surprising number of these emails were from parents who were using SketchUp in their professional lives, but were writing to them about how much their children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were using and enjoying SketchUp.
The SketchUp team soon came to understand that people on the autism spectrum tend to think and learn visually, and that many of them are visually and spatially gifted. Because there was a clear connection between kids on the autism spectrum and SketchUp, Google began exploring whether Sketchup could provide a creative outlet or even a life skill for the kids. Based on the overwhelming response from the local autism community in Boulder, Colorado, where the SketchUp team is based, Google formalized Project Spectrum, a concerted effort to make SketchUp software and related learning materials more widely available to the ASD community worldwide.
About Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism affects people in different ways, and it has its strengths as well as weaknesses. Generally speaking, it affects individuals' communication skills and ability to deal with social interactions. People with autism may also display repetitive behaviors, show resistances to changes in daily routine, and can have unusual responses to sensory experiences. Some individuals display exceptional skills in mathematics, engineering, computer programming or art.
The SketchUp-ASD link
Sketchup was originally designed for professional architects, which is why it is a powerful tool for creating, visualizing and communicating ideas in 3D. Like architects, many individuals on the autism spectrum have visual and spatial gifts. People with these strengths are able to use SketchUp to share the pictures in their heads.
Sketchup can provide individuals on the autism spectrum with a way to graphically express their knowledge, a way to virtually interact with new and challenging environments before having to face them in a person, or a possible vocational tool. People with ASD could, for instance, interact with a 3D model of the new school they will be attending. They could explore the model to learn the layout of the school before the first day of class begins. And because SketchUp is a relatively easy-to-use program, it is a good place for kids on the autism spectrum interested in computer graphics to begin to explore their talents.
A Guide for Exploration
This manual is designed to help individuals on the autism spectrum as well as parents and teachers use SketchUp in a variety of creative ways. The manual provides several examples to get started, but the possibilities are virtually limitless.
These exercises can be done in SketchUp. Some examples also include ideas for using Sketchup together with Google Earth.
Before you begin
1. To try these exercises, you will need to download free copies of Google SketchUp and Google Earth. You can download the software here:
- Google SketchUp: http://sketchup.google.com/download.html
- Google Earth: http://earth.google.com
2. You will need to be able to use a 3-button mouse with accuracy and be willing to experiment. As you go along, don't worry about making mistakes -- that's all part of the fun!
3. You can find lots of 3D models on the Google 3D Warehouse. You can search it for all sorts of neat stuff!
- Google 3D Warehouse: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse
4. In-depth SketchUp video tutorials can be on the Google SketchUp website:
- Video Tutorials: http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos.html
Let's get started!
Exploring social settings
The world of day-to-day human interaction can be a complicated place for anyone, but social settings can be especially complex if you have an autism spectrum disorder. You may have trouble seeing things from another person's perspective or understanding their motivations. Without the ability to interpret gestures and facial expressions, the social world may seem confusing (NIMH, 2007).
Social stories or scripts can help you gain an understanding of how others are thinking and feeling, and the social rules of daily interactions. Social stories are like play-acting. You are given a detailed description of a specific social situation, including the important social cues, the events you might expect to occur in the situation, the actions and reactions that might be expected, and why. These types of exercises can provide a non-threatening way for you to understand specific situations, become more comfortable with them, and respond appropriately (Polyxo, 2007).
Using SketchUp, you can help create and explore the new environments in a way that is almost like being there. You can use models created by others or develop your own.
Activity 1: Exploring Emotions
- For this exercise, click on the "Couple holding hands" link. Download the SketchUp model from the Google 3D Warehouse. Use SketchUp to zoom in on their facial expressions. How do you think they are feeling? What might have caused their expressions?
- Now click on the "Nurse" link and download the SketchUp model. Look at her facial expression. What might have caused it?
Example:
Couple holding hands Nurse
Other ideas: You may also want to use SketchUp to compare and contrast different faces or match body language to facial expressions. Search the 3D Warehouse for models of other people.
Activity 2: Going to the Game
High School football games, track meets and other athletic competitions can be an important and fun part of life. However, competitions have rules not only for the players but for the spectators as well. By exploring a football stadium, basketball court or other sporting venue, you can learn where you are allowed to go, where the best seats are, or where to find restrooms and concession stands. You can also find out where other things are such as bright lights, loud speakers, or other fans.
Activity 2: Going to the Game
High School football games, track meets and other athletic competitions can be an important and fun part of life. However, competitions have rules not only for the players but for the spectators as well. By exploring a football stadium, basketball court or other sporting venue, you can learn where you are allowed to go, where the best seats are, or where to find restrooms and concession stands. You can also find out where other things are such as bright lights, loud speakers, or other fans.
Example:
Advanced: Imagine you are going to a basketball game. In SketchUp, you can draw the court, including the basketball hoop and the stands, finding exactly where you want to sit. Pick out the boundaries of the court where only the players are allowed to go during the game.
Other ideas: This can be applied to shopping malls, universities, cities or airports. Search the 3D Warehouse for models of these places.
Activity 3: Going to the Park
A park or any other public environment can be a challenging place for anyone. Using SketchUp, you can explore the park or other place and get an idea of the landscape, as well as learn what activities and interactions with other people might occur--before you go there.
1. Click on the link and download the 3D model "City Park." Can you find the dogs or the skateboard ramp?
2. Explore the park model by using the Orbit or the Walk tool. Did you pass someone on the path? Don't forget to say, "Excuse me!"
Example:
Other Ideas: Recreational center, shopping mall, grocery store, concert hall, or amusement park. Search the 3D Warehouse for models of these places.
Activity 4: Walking to School
When you are walking to school, you need to be able to navigate streets and obey the rules of the road. Building, exploring and navigating the path using SketchUp can be a fun and helpful exercise prior to actually walking to school for the first time.
1. Click the "Walk to school" link to download the model. Imagine yourself walking to school. Note the landmarks along the way, including the different homes and the traffic signs.
Example:
Advanced: Instead of exploring the "Walk to school" model, you could explore your route using Google Earth. Import imagery of the location from Google Earth into SketchUp. Important landmarks not depicted in Google Earth then modeled in SketchUp.
Displaying what you know
You may understand something very well, but it can be difficult for you to talk or write about it to show others what you know. Alternatives to writing such as diagrams, models and digital presentations can be powerful methods to help you express your knowledge.
Activity 1: Historical Scene
In history courses, you are typically asked to write essays on the culture and daily lives of people around the world, major events in history, or significant battles. Google's 3D Warehouse has many famous buildings and other architectural monuments as well as artifacts of daily living.
1. Click the link to the "Luxor Temple" and download the model. Explore the model and imagine all the festivals that happened there. Imagine the pharaoh living there. Can you add other models from the 3D Warehouse that were part of Egyptian life?
2. Click the link to "Wonders of Ancient Egypt" and view the Collection. Explore these models to discover the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Temple of Ramses II and the Saladin Citadel.
Example:
Advanced: Place the SketchUp models in Google Earth. See what they look like in their present-day surroundings.
Other ideas: Search the 3D Warehouse for models of other historical events: e.g., the Boston Tea Party, Ancient Greece or Rome, or the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Activity 2: Going Inside the Story
You have probably been asked to show your understanding of a story by writing an essay, for instance, to compare and contrast two characters of books. You can also show your understanding of a story by creating the environment in which the characters lived.
Here is a wonderful models of Hogwarts school from the popular Harry Potter series. This and other literature-related models can be found in the Google 3D Warehouse.
1. Click the "Hogwarts model" link to download the model. Explore the model and describe what you find. Where might Harry and his friends be?
Example:
Advanced: Using Placemarks in Google Earth you can map the paths of the characters in Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, The Odyssey by Homer, and many other adventure books.
Activity 3: Understanding the Seasons
Sketchup can help you understand the natural phenomenon of the four seasons. In SketchUp, 3D models can represent how an environment changes during the course of a year.
1. Click the "Seasons" link and download the model. Compare changes in the trees and differences in the colors during the different seasons.
Example:
Other ideas: Use SketchUp's Shadows tool to explore how the sun's light casts shadows during different times of the day and times of the year.
Activity 4: The Water Cycle
One topic that is frequently covered in school is the water cycle, or condensation, precipitation and evaporation. You may be asked to draw pictures of the cycle, write an essay describing it or take a test to demonstrate your understanding. Sketchup is a fun way to visually demonstrate your understanding of the concept.
1. Click the "Water Cycle" link and download the model from the Google 3D Warehouse. Explore the model to see how the water cycle works.
Example:
Other ideas: Search the 3D Warehouse for models of the solar system, concepts of gravity or environmental habitats, or create your own.
Creativity
SketchUp may simply become an enjoyable way to express your creativity. It's fun to create your own dream space or world! Lots of creative folks use SketchUp: architects, inventors, video game and movie set designers.
Activity 1: Dream Spaces
Because SketchUp was originally designed for architects, using it to build your home (or your room) is a great way to learn the application. As you get better at using the software, you can make your spaces more detailed and extraordinary.
1. Click the link to the "Dream Room" and download the model. Try creating different designs, colors, furniture and other decorations to make this your own personal dream room.
Example:
Other ideas: Search the 3D Warehouse for models of a movie set, amusement park or concert stage, or create your own dream space.
Activity 2: Dream World
Video game environments can be realistic, futuristic or fantasy-based. Not only are they fun to play, they can be fun to create. Already used by professional game designers, SketchUp is a great way to create your own game environment.
1. Click the "Game Environment" link and download the model. Try adding to the model or create your own version.
Example:
Other ideas: Search the 3D Warehouse for models from popular video games like Halo. Include these in your models.
Activity 3: Beyond Buildings
SketchUp can be used to design lots of things besides buildings, such as, space ships, robots and skateboard parks.
1. Click the "Rollercoaster" link and download the model. Try adding to the model or create your version of a rollercoaster.
Example:
Other ideas: Search the 3D Warehouse for a carousel, hanging bridge or labyrinth.
About the author
As the Assistive Technology Team Leader for the Boulder Valley School District, Anja Kintsch works with students with a variety of disabilities. She is also a researcher on the Cognitive Levers Grant, developing technology for individuals with cognitive disabilities in the Center for LifeLong Learning and Design.
About the Center for LifeLong Learning and Design (L3D)
The Center for LifeLong Learning and Design (L3D) is part of the Department of Computer Science and the Institute of Cognitive Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The mission of the Center is to establish, both by theoretical work and by building prototype systems, the scientific foundations for the construction of intelligent systems that serve as amplifiers of human capabilities.
References
National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/autism.cfm
Polyxo.com - http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/introduction.html
Autism Society of America - http://www.autism-society.org