Educational Software Review of Tabs by Becta
Tabs MST 3D Modeling Software from Aspex Software
Aspex Software has been engaged in developing
educational software since 1994 and in those days the
3D modeling
software tabs confined to the Acorn computer which was popular in
schools. But since then tabs has developed to become widely accessible
to schools using both PC and Mac computers.
The following extract is taken from an
evaluation of the Tabs educational software conducted by Becta when it
became available for PC's and Mac's:
Becta Review:
Curriculum Area: Maths. Design Technology. KS2/3/4 Adult
Tabs+ is a simple and effective package. It aims to fill the void in the
curriculum for modeling nets. You can make up large and complex
three-dimensional models by developing them from a series of simple
geometric shapes. These can be viewed from virtually any angle or
distance and the results either saved to disk or output to a printer as
a modeling net which can be folded and assembled into a real world
model.
NetsNets are printed as line drawings and will print over several pages if
the image is too large. The software has a terrific
3rd angle
projection and wire-frame printout facility. However the software is
still in need of some development, shapes cannot be joined together and
printed as a single net and this is the main limiting factor. There is
as yet no facility for importing images or drawing upon the net before
printing.
aspex: The new tabsMST version uses images which can be mapped onto
individual faces of each shape.
Who is tabs for?The software is perfect for Design Technology and Mathematics KS2,
KS3 and
KS4. Progress is rapid once the pupil has understood the relationship
between the edit window and the view window. There are only a few key
words for a pupil to recognise and the program makes few demands on
reading.
What does Tabs do?The user interface is comparitively simple considering the level of
sophistication. The front end of tabs+ displays function buttons for 8
primitive shapes. Once a shape has been chosen it can be scaled,
coloured and grouped with other shapes. it is possible to go back and
edit a shape at a later stage.
Complex net designs can be generated within a matter of minutes. As the
flat views are developed, one can be reassured of its overall form by a
clever model view window. A 3D rendered tumble option allows the user to
view the solid object as it rotates majestically about its axis.
The screen layout is uncluttered and with every button serving a
purpose. It does not in any way intimidate the younger user but still
retains its advanced capabilities.
aspex: There are now 14 different shapes and many of them have variants. ie,
The pyramid shape can be displayed as a triangular based pyramid, square
based pyramid, pentagon based pyramid ...... dodecagon based pyarmid,
all with the nets of the shapes so that they can be built into paper
models.
ConclusionThis software is addressing an important area for teachers who wish to
implement 3D net modeling into their curriculum. It is inspired
software which, as it stands , meets a real need in the classroom. In
addition, it is clear that there are further developments in hand which
would make it outstanding.
aspex: These further developments have resulted in the aspex Tabs and
aspex Tabs MST products which form the latest release of the tabs
software.
Further Information about Becta:
Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure
the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning.
Tabs MST Home Page
|
