Sketchup Resources
Sponsored Links
Autism program utilizing Google app to help develop personal skills SALT LAKE CITY— The iSTAR program, organized by the university's Department of Family and Consumer Studies, is hosting the pilot program as a workshop this week to train boys ages 10-13 years to build designs using SketchUp. Organizers say that although those with autism have interpersonal challenges, they have strengths working with spatial-visual elements. "We realized that it becomes an avenue for which these children can engage with other kids," said Professor Cheryl Wright with the U of U Dept. of Family and Consumer Studies. "It has a real appeal to kids because there are so many ways you can use it." SketchUp is a free program offered by Google that is used by designers, architects, animators to help draw design mock-ups. Google is teaming up with iSTAR with their own Google Spectrum project to help autistic youths. "Google would say that the University of Utah is getting the program off the ground for them," said Wright. According to the Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Utah's autism rates doubled between 2002 and 2008 such that 1 in 49 8-year-old boys had the disorder in 2008. Children with autism often have limited employment opportunities and face issues with interpersonal relationships that affect their ability to function in the workplace, according to iSTAR organizers. Students presented their designs and SketchUp knowledge to their classes and at other community events to demonstrate their technology skills.
|
|
About us | Advertise with us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Sitemap |