Design is something that surrounds us in our everyday lives. Someone has to design the car I drive, the home I live in, the school I attend, the computer I use and even the programs on the computer. Design is the planning needed to construct something before it is built, as it allows ones ideas to be brought to life from their mind. This ties in closely to the constructivist approach as it allows one to follow his or her own interest and ideas. It allows us to thoroughly explore, investigate and plan the thoughts we have inside our minds before building the design.
The only type of design tool I had ever use was something simple like paint. I had never had an experience using a high tech designing tool, so after reading this chapter I thought I should give one a try. I attempted to use SketchUp (the key word being attempted!) but I found it quite complicated. I was amazed at how it could really bring my ideas to life, but I found that it was a little difficult. I believe allowing children to try out this program at a young age will allow them to develop the necessary skills needed to be able to use the program to its full potential. I wish I could have gotten to use this within school as I think it would be pretty interesting to combine this with a classroom project or lesson.
The designs that individuals develop can be used in combination with simulation programs. This will allow one to test the design out even before constructing it, which can be very beneficial for the designer. Combining the two will allow children to practice their problem solving skills through trial and error. When they test out their design and it doesn’t work, they can just easily go back and make the adjustments needed. Being able to test out a design that has been created, allows children to have a more meaningful experience with their creations.
Design programs such as SketchUp can truly allow one to express their ideas. I know as a child I always have a million and one ideas running through my head, but I had very little accessed to such programs that allowed me to express them. Usually I would attempt to express them by constructing them, but this meant that I would skip the design part and that is why I would run into problems. But due to the fact that the construction part took so much time and materials to build, once it was done and it failed, I would be unmotivated to do it all over again. Allowing individuals to output their ideas prior to construction truly allows for deep and meaningful planning to be put into a creation. Designing and visualizing technologies allow children to be more active in the process of creation through planning and problem solving.
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