I’m dubbing this Lego Digital Designer (LDD) Lesson One.

I can say a lot about LDD, but in essence the word cool comes to mind.  It’s like having that giant tub of Legos when you were a kid and all the pieces you really needed but did not have.  It’s virtual Legos in a crisp, clean 3D environment with simple sound effects that don’t overpower.  More than that, LDD is a great way to get kids problem solving, thinking creatively, using self-directed learning, all while having fun making “stuff” with Legos.  You can even explode your models into individual pieces and watch it fly back together piece by piece!

I will preface this lesson plan with a note that I did spend one class on LDD prior to this lesson.  In the introduction to LDD, I walked the kids through the interface and the different modes while demonstrating making some simple constructions.  I also demonstrated how to use the help buttons as well as how to locate the online video tutorials.  When I gave the kids exploration time, I informed them I would help them very little.  They were to use the help buttons, guide, tutorial videos, and their own ideas to figure things out if they got stuck.  So, prior to this lesson, the students have had about half a class period of time to tinker with the program.  Some have even downloaded it at home and joined the website (and surely will be buying sets of Legos they have designed).

This lesson is intended for grades 1-4, but should be adapted accordingly (i.e. first graders need more of a walk-through).

LDD Lesson One: Making a Personal Logo

Objective: Use the Legos to make your name.  Your name can be flat or you can make it 3D.   Take a screen shot of your design.  Save your design.

This is a lesson that can be really simple or complex, depending upon the age of the student.  Quite a bit of problem solving and creative thinking is needed to accomplish this goal, as well as effective use of camera angles and zoom within the program.

Step-by-Step Student Guide: lego-digital-designer-lesson-one

Again, I am placing a .pdf version of the directions online for my students to use.  Save the trees, man!  And yes…all Legos are 3D in this program, so in essence the “flat” version of the name is in 3D, too.  The terms, I think, will help my students understand best.