Students learn about isometric drawings and practice sketching on triangle-dot paper the shapes they make using multiple simple cubes. They also learn how to use coded plans to envision objects and draw them on triangle-dot paper.Cognitive behavioral learning theory A powerpoint® presentation, worksheet and triangle-dot (isometric) paper printout are provided. This activity is part of a multi-activity series towards improving spatial visualization skills.Cognitive behavioral learning theory

Spatial visualization is an essential skill in taking ideas that initially only exist in the mind to something that can be communicated clearly to other people and eventually turned into products, structures and systems.Cognitive behavioral learning theory as such, it is an important skill for professionals within the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields—particularly engineering.Cognitive behavioral learning theory engineers use spatial visualization skills whenever three-dimensional concepts, devices and ideas are being discussed. For example, chemical engineers use spatial visualization when studying three-dimensional molecules, while mechanical engineers use spatial visualization when designing prosthetic limbs that require multiple motors, gears, linkages, bearings and shafts to fit within a single assembly.Cognitive behavioral learning theory

(have the slide presentation up and displayed to the class, starting with slide 3.) spatial visualization is useful for practicing engineers, has been shown to be a significant predictor of success for students in engineering, and is also a learned skill.Cognitive behavioral learning theory that means we can improve our spatial visualization skills by practicing. Today, we are going develop our skills in drawing three-dimensional objects.Cognitive behavioral learning theory spatial visualization skills help you in many subjects and hobbies that require the imagination of three-dimensional shapes, such as geometry, chemistry, physics, athletics (like tennis and gymnastics) and various computer games.Cognitive behavioral learning theory practicing spatial visualization enables you to understand three-dimensional figures and representations more readily and perform better in these subjects and hobbies.Cognitive behavioral learning theory

In the planning phase of any engineering project, an engineer needs to be able to take the vision of a new design from inside his or her head and illustrate it on a piece of paper or a computer screen.Cognitive behavioral learning theory this process—visualizing the item as a three-dimensional object—includes the dimensions of depth, width and height. Without spatial visualization skills, engineers would be unable to envision new ideas and communicate these ideas to others.Cognitive behavioral learning theory

Isometric views are useful for displaying three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional piece of paper. More specifically, we use triangle-dot paper to draw objects isometrically. (display slide 4, which is the same as figure 1.) this image shows a 3-D cube depicted in two different ways.Cognitive behavioral learning theory on the left, the cube is drawn non-isometrically in that the angles in the corners are not equal and the sides each have different areas. However, on the right, the cube is drawn such that the sides of the cube connect at a “corner,” making equal angles of 120°.Cognitive behavioral learning theory we call this an isometric view of the cube. Also notice that in the illustration on the right, all the sides of the cube are the same size. During this activity, we are going to practice drawing shapes isometrically. (slide 5, same as figure 4, shows a house depicted isometrically using autocad.)

cognitive behavioral learning theory

Even with this explanation, it is possible that your partner incorrectly envisioned the object. Imagine if you were an engineer who needed to design a much more complicated object than the one you tried to describe—it would be even more difficult!Cognitive behavioral learning theory this is precisely why we use coded plans in engineering drawings. Coded plans are a type of tool used by engineers to express three-dimensional objects on two-dimensional surfaces.Cognitive behavioral learning theory A coded plan defines the shape of a structure or object composed of blocks. (click to reveal the right side of slide 6, which is the same as the right side of figure 2—a coded plan of the same image just described and drawn by students.) for instance, a coded plan is shown here.Cognitive behavioral learning theory notice that the corners of the object are labeled by letters. Notice also that the numbers inside the squares represent the number of cubes that are stacked on top of each other.Cognitive behavioral learning theory next, we will do some activities to practice making coded plans and isometric drawings.

The term “isometric” literally means “equal measure.” in other words, when we isometrically draw an object composed of multiple cubes, the cube faces are all the same area and the corner angles are all equal and 120°.Cognitive behavioral learning theory triangle-dot paper is useful because the dots are situated 120° from each other, which facilitates drawing 3-D objects. For students just starting to practice spatial visualization, it is beneficial to use toy blocks with the ability to interlock and form larger shapes composed of the cubes (such as the recommended “snap cubes” in the materials list; see figure 3.)