View source for STIC:Earli2016-3Dworkshop

== Digital design and fabrication workshop ==

: Daniel K. Schneider, TECFA, Faculty of psychology and educational sciences, University of Geneva
: '''Workshop notes'''
: [http://tecfa.unige.ch/earli2016/ EARLI Special interest Group “Text and Graphics Comprehension”]
: Geneva, July, 2016

== Abstract, program and objectives ==

Physical visualizations (or physicalizations) can promote cognition through a variety of mechanisms, notably easier perception, hands-on manipulation and enhanced interaction with other participants. We can distinguish several types of physical visualizations, according to three dimensions: active/passive, kit/whole, digitally enhanced/non digital. In this workshop we will focus on two kinds of visualizations, non-digital construction kits and whole visualizations.

(1) Construction kits allow creating and manipulating visualizations from building blocks. In education, construction kits, also known as expressive media or manipulatives, allow interactive exploration of designs, concepts and roles. Physical visualizations can for example represent tabular quantitative data or more qualitative data like the state of a project or a system. Construction kits to create such visualization include a set of tokens that can be assembled into something with a new functionality (i.e. visualizations in our case) according to predefined rules. (2) Whole visualizations are created digitally and then rendered entirely by a 3D printer or other fabrication device. Typically, these 3D visualizations are represent quantitative data, e.g. comparative time series, maps or functions with 3 variables.

In this workshop we will:
* present the concepts of construction kit and physical visualization,
* discuss a few examples that are either teacher or learner-centric, 
* introduce some technical principles of digital design and fabrication, 
* discuss practical requirements for teachers and/or students to learn and use digital design and fabrication technology,
* engage participants in some prototyping activity
* have some brainstorming about the "comprehension of physicalizations" made with 3D printers

Objective:
* Reflect on the future of physicalizations in education & research (taking into account affordances of new and cheap technology)

== PART I: Introduction to Construction kits, physical visualization, digital design and fabrication ==

=== What are construction kits ? ===

A construction kit is a set of elements that can be assembled / combined into something that has new functionality, e.g. models of objects, ideas, or settings for role play.

[[File:construction-kit.png|none|800px|Construction kits: roots and properties]]

Some [[construction kit]]s are tools for data visualization, others include at least some data visualization.

=== What are physical visualizations ? ===

'''Properties of a [[physical visualization]] kit''' (Huron 2014)
* A set of '''basic units''' or tokens, which can be mapped to data,
* A '''token grammar''', which declares how the attributes of the tokens can signify data,
* An '''environment''' in which the tokens can be placed,
* An '''assembly model''', which describes the constraints and freedom with which the tokens can be assembled.

Examples from http://dataphys.org/list/ maintained by [http://www.aviz.fr/ Aviz] team, INRIA and friends.
* [http://dataphys.org/list/mesopotamian-clay-tokens/ 5500 BC – Mesopotamian Clay Tokens]
* [http://dataphys.org/list/city-populations/ 2007 – Global Cities: Elevation Maps of City Population]
* [http://dataphys.org/list/activity-logging-with-lego-bricks/ 2008 – Activity Logging with LEGO Bricks]
* [http://dataphys.org/list/data-sculptures-in-class/ 2010 – Data Sculptures in Class]
* [http://dataphys.org/list/laser-cut-time-series/ 2011 – Temperature measurement] (Laser cut Time Series)
* [http://dataphys.org/list/touching-air-necklace-shows-air-pollution/ 2015 – Touching Air: Necklace Shows Air Pollution]
* [http://dataphys.org/list/canadian-federal-election-first-past-the-post-vs-proportion-representation/ 2015 – Canadian Federal Election Explained with LEGOs]
* [http://dataphys.org/list/passim-visual-reconceptualisation-of-spatial-theories/ 2015 – Passim: Visual Reconceptualisation of Spatial Theories]
* [http://dataphys.org/list/motus-forma-peoples-motions-in-a-shared-space/ 2016 – Motus Forma: People’s Motions in a Shared Space] 

Examples from thingiverse (3D printable objects repository maintained by a 3D printer vendor)
* [http://www.thingiverse.com/explore/newest/learning/math/page:1 Newest learning math items]
* [https://www.thingiverse.com/challenges/MakerBot-Academy-Math Makerbot Academy Math] (A competition for building good math manipulables, 2013). The competition page cites [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipulative_(mathematics) Wikipedia's Math Manipulative] article.
* [http://www.thingiverse.com/challenges/MakerEdChallenge Maker Ed Challenge] (Feb. 2016)

'''2011+: Teachers and learners can print/adapt/create visualizations and visualization kits in a cheap and fairly easy way.'''

=== Digital design and fabrication in education ===

There exist several use cases for construction kits and visualizations:
* Visualizations or kits as didactic tools (mainly demonstration of principles)
* Construction kits for exploring and learning
* Kits to keep track of projects states and achievements (management)
* Kits as medium for design teaching
* Building visualizations and creating kits to stimulate in-depth reflection about a subject
* ....
 
'''Places for digital design and fabrication'''

So far, most of the making is done outside of formal learning settings (The UK may be the exception):
* Fablabs (are on a mission, rules and minimal set of tools are required)
* Makerspaces (other places for making, various sizes)
* FacLabs (small, university Fablabs)
* Hackerspace (bottom-up organized makerspaces)
* Public Labs (do-it your self science with a political orientation)
: See also: [[Tour de Fablab]]

* Examples: [http://cba.mit.edu/facilities/index.html MIT] (can build almost anything), [http://fablab.waag.org/ FabLab Amsterdam] (public), [http://www.faclab.org/ FacLab Sergy-Pointoise], [[Fablab TECFA]] (my own machines, not a Fablab)

=== Introduction to 3D printing ===

'''3D printing workflow'''
# Grab, scan, adapt or create a 3D model
# Translate to a simple mesh model (STL format), e.g. using the open source [[Meshlab for RapMan tutorial|Meshlab]] software
# Repair and adapt the model, e.g. the popular [[Netfabb Studio tutorial|Netfabb Studio]] software
# Translate to machine code with a [[Slicers and user interfaces for 3D printers|Slicing tool]], e.g. [http://slic3r.org/ Slic3R] or [https://ultimaker.com/en/products/cura-software Cura]
# Send to 3D printer
Steps 3-6 are often done with a single software, e.g. the open source [https://github.com/repetier/Repetier-Host/wiki Repetierhost program]

* See workflow of [[3D printing]] for ''variants of this''

'''Technology'''
* Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF): Heated, extruded [[3D printer filament|Filament]] is deposited layer by layer. Cost: 300 - 5000 Euros. Cheap material
* Syringue-based systems (as above, for printing epoxy composites, pain, food, bio-components, etc.). Cost: Addon-to a filament printer or several K.
* Solification of liquid (Stereolithography, SLA). Cost: 1000 - 50K 
* Binding of granular materials (e.g. selective laser sintering, SLS). Cost: 10 - 500K 

Alternatives to 3D printing: [[laser cutter|laser cutting]] and [[hobby milling|milling]]

'''Online drawing tools:'''
* https://www.3dslash.net/  (Mindcraft-like)
* https://www.tinkercad.com/ (Easiest Drawing Tool)

'''Many tools for the desktop and mobile devices'''
* See [[Computer-aided design and manufacturing]]

Specialized tools for creating visualizations (not yet available):
* MakerVis video: http://www.aviz.fr/makervis

== PART II: Hands on ==

=== Sample visualizations ===

Shown in the workshop:

* [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1186723 Golden Ratio and Fibonacci's Sequence] by ypsimon, published Dec 9, 2015. A math manipulative.

* [http://tecfaetu.unige.ch/etu-maltt/R2D2/dacostj7/stic-4/proj/index.html Triangle de Reuleux] by Julien DaCosta (coursework)

* [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1663590 Running activity visualization beads] by DKS, a simpler version of a necklace described in Stusak, S., Tabard, A., Sauka, F., Khot, R. A., & Butz, A. (2014). Activity sculptures: Exploring the impact of physical visualizations on running activity. IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics, 20(12), 2201-2210. https://www.medien.ifi.lmu.de/pubdb/publications/pub/stusak2014vis/stusak2014vis.pdf

* [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:33001 Lego-compatible thesis project boards] by DKS described [http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Lego-compatible_thesis_project_board here], [http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Using_a_thesis_project_board here] and in a [http://tecfa.unige.ch/tecfa/talks/schneide/eiah-2015/Schneider_EIAH2015-lego-final-preprint.pdf poster paper] in french.

=== HANDS ON: prototyping ===

'''Brainstorming'''

* Imaging a construction kit or an other method to visualize data. Try to find something that visualizes states or achievement of activities
* Discuss your idea with your neighbors
* Create a prototype (at least for an element)

For prototyping, we suggest five options:

'''In the tradition'''
* Take a sheet of paper and draw

'''Parameterization of necklace beads''' 
* Transfer to an education or research subject, i.e. ''imagine a necklace whose beads encode some "advancement" or achievement information''.
* Play with [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1663590 Running activity visualization beads]
** Click on customize (green button)
** Select on Customizer (Red app)

'''Lego sculptures'''
* Imagine a collection of special-purpose bricks that represent something of interest to education or research work.
* Sculpt cool Lego bricks with [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1664118 3Dslashable LEGO compatible bricks]
** Either use the customize (green button) plus 3D Slash customizer app ('''registration required''')
** Or install the app on your computer: [https://www.3dslash.net/features_downloads.php https://www.3dslash.net/features_downloads.php] and download an STL file from [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1663590 here]

'''Draw from scratch using an online tool or your cell phone'''
* Create a system of tokens for an educational or research visualization
* There are several easy options:
** Online (web browser) "easy composition": https://www.tinkercad.com/
** Android "mindcraft-like" app: '''Qubism''' ([https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jquinn.qubism.android&hl=en Android PlayStore page])
** Android and IOS "easy composition" app: '''3D Creationist''' ([http://3dcreationist.com/ home page], [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tdcp.threedc&hl=en PlayStore page], [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/creationist-3d-modeling-printing/id1006435834 iTunes page])
** IOS app: '''Blokify'''

== Resources ==

=== 3D printing ===

Below is a '''selection''' of tools. Search or [[Category:3D printing|browse]] this wiki for more.

'''Online modeling tools'''

* [https://www.tinkercad.com/ TinkerCAD]
* [https://www.3dslash.net/ 3DSlash] (Also available within Thingiverse)

'''Modeling Tools'''

* [http://www.netfabb.com/basic.php Netfabb Studio Basic] - STL positioning/repair (Win/Mac/Linux)
* [http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/ MeshLab] - Mesh repair/merger (Win/Linux)
* [http://sketchup.google.com/ Sketchup] (3D Modeling tool)
* [http://www.zbrushcentral.com/showthread.php?90617-A-Gift-From-Pixologic Sculptris] (3D Sculpting tool)
* [http://www.openscad.org/ OpenScad] (Win/Mac/Linux). 3D Programming
* [http://www.123dapp.com/create Autodesk® 123D™] (Free Autodesk CAD/3D tools for PCs and tablets, large downloads)

'''Slicing and controlling software'''

* [https://github.com/repetier/Repetier-Host/wiki Repetierhost], a popular program to control 3D printers, also includes an interface to run slicers.

'''Repositories'''
* http://thingiverse.com
* [http://www.shapeways.com/ Shapeways], a site where people sell their designs (you decide how to render it). You also can upload a model and have it printed

=== Computerized embroidery ===

* [[Computerized embroidery]] (overview article)
* [[Stitch Era embroidery software]]

=== Design and fabrication in schools ===

* [http://tecfa.unige.ch/tecfa/talks/schneide/EARLI-SIG2-2016/design-fabrication-talk/A-talk.html Digital design and fabrication in education] (talk)
* [http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/3D_printers_in_education 3D printers in education]
* [http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Fab_labs_in_education Fab labs in education]
* Discussion
* Impressions de mes cours pilote [http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/fr/STIC:STIC_IV STIC IV].

=== EduTechWiki ===

''' Overviews'''
* [[Fab lab]]
* [[Tour de Fablab]]
* [[Computerized embroidery in education]]
* [[3D printers in education]]

'''D&T in education'''

* [[Fab labs in education]]
* [[Computerized embroidery in education]]
* [[Design and technology in England's national curriculum]]

''' Embroidery '''

* [[Computerized embroidery]] 
* [[Elna 8300]] (small embroidery machine)
* [[Stitch Era embroidery software]] Tutorials for this software

''' 3D printing '''

* [[3D printing]] (overview)
* [[OpenScad beginners tutorial]] and [[Doblo factory]] 
* [[Sketchup 3D printable objects tutorial]]  

''' Music '''

* [[Music notation software]] et [[MusicXML]]
* [[MIDI]]
* [[Music education technology]]

'''Teaching'''
* [http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/fr/STIC:STIC_IV STIC IV] 

== Bibliography ==

'''Construction kits'''
* Zuckerman, Oren (2006, in preparation), Historical Overview and Classification of Traditional and Digital Learning Objects MIT Media Laboratory, https://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/readings/classification-learning-objects.pdf (accessed July 2016).
* Zuckerman, Oren (2010). Designing digital objects for learning: lessons from Froebel and Montessori, International Journal of Arts and Technology 3 (1) 124-135. 
* Resnick, M. (2005) “Some Reflections on Designing Construction Kits for Kids”, In Proceedings of Interactive Design and Children, 117-122. http://web.media.mit.edu/~silver/radlearning/construction_kits_for_kids.pdf

'''Visualizations'''
* Huron, Samuel; Yvonne Jansen, Sheelagh Carpendale (2014) Constructing Visual Representations: Investigating the Use of Tangible Tokens. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2014, Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 20 (12), pp.1. DOI: 10.1109/TVCG.2014.2346292, https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01024053/document
* Stusak, S., Tabard, A., Sauka, F., Khot, R. A., & Butz, A. (2014). Activity sculptures: Exploring the impact of physical visualizations on running activity. IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics, 20(12), 2201-2210. https://www.medien.ifi.lmu.de/pubdb/publications/pub/stusak2014vis/stusak2014vis.pdf
* Stusak,S; A Tabard, A Butz (2013). Can physical visualizations support analytical tasks, Posters of IEEE InfoVis, 2013, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Simon_Stusak/publication/260699515_Can_Physical_Visualizations_Support_Analytical_Tasks/links/544111690cf2e6f0c0f56734.pdf
* Amar, R., Eagan, J., & Stasko, J. (2005, October). Low-level components of analytic activity in information visualization. In IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization, 2005. INFOVIS 2005. (pp. 111-117). IEEE.
* Saiganesh Swaminathan, Conglei Shi, Yvonne Jansen, Pierre Dragicevic, Lora Oehlberg, Jean-Daniel Fekete. Supporting the Design and Fabrication of Physical Visualizations. Proceedings of the 2014 Annual Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2014), Apr 2014, Toronto, ON, Canada. pp.3845--3854 

See also the bibliographies in
* [[3D printers in education]]
* [[Fab labs in education]]

[[Category: Courses and workshops]]