S’Cool Tools SXSWedu Edition: BlocksCAD, 3Doodler, Grid, GameSalad

S'Cool Tools

S’Cool Tools SXSWedu Edition: BlocksCAD, 3Doodler, Grid, GameSalad

Mar 13, 2016

TOO COOL (PERFECT FOR SCHOOL): We've got our favorite edtech teacher and administrator tools for the week right here, as highlighted in our Instruct newsletter. By the way—got a favorite S’Cool Tool you like to use? We would love to hear and share your recommendations! If you’ve got a tool that makes you or your students sing from the proverbial mountaintops, fill out this form to let us know. It might just get featured! Note: If we have not appended a privacy flag to a tool’s description, it does not collect personally identifiable information. If a tool collects personal information, parents or educators should create an account for users under 13.

3D Printing:

Free!BlocksCAD—A 3D modeling and computer-aided design tool for young students. With a block-based interface system akin to Scratch, BlocksCAD helps children understand the spatial thinking and geometry involved with modeling three-dimensional structures. They can even print their designs on a 3D printer! This program had maker-teachers going nuts at SXSWedu; try it here. Privacy flag: BlocksCAD collects email addresses when users register, though it is possible to use the tool without registering.

$9993Doodler—A 3D printing pen. Sold to educators in packs of 12 with 1200 plastic stems (the fuel for the pen), project guides (also available free online), lesson plans, nozzles and stencils. There are two types of pens: One for students ages 14 and over and the starter pen for younger students. Creations range from the amazingly precise dinosaur we saw on the floor at SXSWedu to a small, adorable heart drawn by a young student.

Game Design:

LicenseGrid—Insert yourself, your students and your own content into educational games that your students can play. Still in beta testing, Grid comes from Black Rocket, a company that provides courses for students to learn how to create movies and video games, and it also makes content for Grid to help teachers with certain topics. Privacy flag: Black Rocket, Grid’s parent company, collects personal information from registered users, and it is not possible to use the tool without registering. Black Rocket may use this information to send users targeted advertising.

LicenseGameSalad—An interface for students to create their own games. GameSalad offers students the ability to move pre-programmed elements such as a character, sound effects or a star around in the game and test their gameplay. GameSalad allows users to publish and share their games on most mainstream platforms and devices. Privacy flag: GameSalad collects personal information from registered users, and it is not possible to use the tool without registering. GameSalad may use this information to send users targeted advertising.

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