3-Dimensional Modeling Training for Pre-Service Teachers Through The Tinkercad Platform

Authors

  • Fadhlan Muchlas Abrori Universitas Borneo Tarakan
  • Maulana Ahsan Fadhail Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Baitul Hikmah

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/communautaire.v4i1.1017

Keywords:

3D-Modeling, Training, Tinkercad, Pre-Service Teachers

Abstract

The ability to develop 3D modelling is very important for educators because of its potential for further development in augmented reality and virtual reality. This paper describes the training activities for making 3D modelling for preservice teachers. The training was centred on the use of the Tinkercad platform. Pre-service teachers were asked to create 3D models of Mbaru Niang and the Grand Mosque of West Sumatra. The evaluation was conducted to assess the extent to which preservice teachers utilised the features in Tinkercad. In making Mbaru Niang, pre-service teachers generally use different forms of objects (basic objects made from cones or paraboloids), but with the same features (group, hole, and alignment). In contrast, when creating the Great Mosque of West Sumatra, pre-service teachers use the same basic object (a pyramid), but with additional features, such as a mirror. The results of this community service indicate that each teacher employs a similar approach in one 3d model project and different approaches in other projects. This study can serve as a starting point for future research or community service, providing a foundation for a similar long-term project that develops a more complex 3D model.

References

Ali, M. H., Issayev, G., Shehab, E., & Sarfraz, S. (2022). A Critical Review of 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing in Construction Engineering. Rapid Prototyping Journal, 28(7), 1312–1324. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-07-2021-0160

Alnasib, B. N. (2023). Digital Competencies: Are Pre-Service Teachers Qualified for Digital Education? International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 11(1), 96–114. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijemst.2842

Anđić, B., Lavicza, Z., Ulbrich, E., Cvjetićanin, S., Petrović, F., & Maričić, M. (2022). Contribution of 3D Modelling and Printing to Learning in Primary Schools: A Case Study with Visually Impaired Students from an Inclusive Biology Classroom. Journal of Biological Education, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2022.2118352

Anđić, B., Ulbrich, E., Dana-Picard, T. (Noah), Cvjetićanin, S., Petrović, F., Lavicza, Z., & Maričić, M. (2023). A Phenomenography Study of STEM Teachers’ Conceptions of Using Three-Dimensional Modeling and Printing (3DMP) in Teaching. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 32(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-022-10005-0

Arada, B. P. (2025). Arduino Programming Education Using Tinkercad: A Mixed-Method Study on Usability and Student Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal in Information Technology in Governance, Education and Business, 7(1), 135–150. https://doi.org/10.32664/ijitgeb.v7i1.175

Barrile, V., Bernardo, E., Fotia, A., & Bilotta, G. (2022). Integration of Laser Scanner, Ground-Penetrating Radar, 3D Models and Mixed Reality for Artistic, Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Dissemination. Heritage, 5(3), 1529–1550. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage5030080

Bates, K. E., Williams, A. Y., Gilligan‐Lee, K. A., Gripton, C., Lancaster, A., Williams, H., Borthwick, A., Gifford, S., & Farran, E. K. (2023). Practitioners’ Perspectives on Spatial Reasoning in Educational Practice from Birth to 7 Years. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(2), 571–590. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12579

Bhaduri, S., Biddy, Q. L., Bush, J., Suresh, A., & Sumner, T. (2021). 3DnST: A Framework Towards Understanding Children’s Interaction with Tinkercad and Enhancing Spatial Thinking Skills. Proceedings of the 20th Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference, 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1145/3459990.3460717

Chinwong, S., Nedkun, P., Photharin, S., Hirankittiwong, P., Thaoyabut, P., Pongphaw, N., Sanonok, P., Buaphan, P., & Maneesai, K. (2025). Enhancing Attitudes and Engagement in First‐Year Computer Engineering Students: Integrating Tinkercad and Physical Experiments for Learning Angular Acceleration, Torque, and Moment of Inertia. Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 33(3), e70020. https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.70020

El Bedewy, S., Lavicza, Z., Haas, B., & Lieban, D. (2022). A STEAM Practice Approach to Integrate Architecture, Culture and History to Facilitate Mathematical Problem-Solving. Education Sciences, 12(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12010009

Eryilmaz, S., & Deniz, G. (2021). Effect of Tinkercad on Students’ Computational Thinking Skills and Perceptions: A Case of Ankara Province. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology-TOJET, 20(1), 25–38.

Fowler, S., Cutting, C., Kennedy, J., Leonard, S. N., Gabriel, F., & Jaeschke, W. (2022). Technology Enhanced Learning Environments and the Potential for Enhancing Spatial Reasoning: A Mixed Methods Study. Mathematics Education Research Journal, 34(4), 887–910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-021-00368-9

Ghosh, R. M., Jolley, M. A., Mascio, C. E., Chen, J. M., Fuller, S., Rome, J. J., Silvestro, E., & Whitehead, K. K. (2022). Clinical 3D Modeling to Guide Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and Intervention Using 3D Printed Anatomic Models, Computer Aided Design and Virtual Reality. 3D Printing in Medicine, 8(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41205-022-00137-9

Harris, D. (2023). Spatial Reasoning in Context: Bridging Cognitive and Educational Perspectives of Spatial-Mathematics Relations. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1302099. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1302099

Harris, D., Lowrie, T., Logan, T., & Hegarty, M. (2021). Spatial Reasoning, Mathematics, and Gender: Do Spatial Constructs Differ in Their Contribution to Performance? British Journal of Educational Psychology, 91(1), 409–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12371

Hosic, R., Abrori, F. M., & Lavicza, Z. (2025). Connecting 3D Modeling in Plant Morphology. Science Activities, 62(3), 173–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/00368121.2025.2498903

Huang, H., & Lee, C.-F. (2022). Factors Affecting Usability of 3D Model Learning in a Virtual Reality Environment. Interactive Learning Environments, 30(5), 848–861. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1691605

Huang, T.-C., Chen, M.-Y., & Lin, C.-Y. (2019). Exploring the Behavioral Patterns Transformation of Learners in Different 3D Modeling Teaching Strategies. Computers in Human Behavior, 92, 670–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.08.028

İbili, E., Çat, M., Resnyansky, D., Şahin, S., & Billinghurst, M. (2020). An Assessment of Geometry Teaching Supported with Augmented Reality Teaching Materials to Enhance Students’ 3D Geometry Thinking Skills. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 51(2), 224–246. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2019.1583382

Jita, T., & Munje, P. N. (2022). Preservice Teachers’ Mentorship Experiences During Teaching Practice in a South African Teacher Preparation Program. International Journal of Higher Education, 11(1), 140–150. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v11n1p140

Karaismailoglu, F., & Yildirim, M. (2024). The Effect of 3D Modeling Performed Using Tinkercad or Concrete Materials in the Context of the Flipped Classroom on Pre-Service Teachers’ Spatial Abilities. Research in Science & Technological Education, 42(4), 1264–1283. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2023.2223134

Knochel, A. D. (2018). An Object-Oriented Curriculum Theory for STEAM: Boundary Shifters, Materiality and Per(Form)Ing 3D Thinking. International Journal of Education Through Art, 14(1), 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1386/eta.14.1.35_1

Lane, D., & Sorby, S. (2022). Bridging the Gap: Blending Spatial Skills Instruction into a Technology Teacher Preparation Programme. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32(4), 2195–2215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-021-09691-5

Marks, B., & Thomas, J. (2022). Adoption of Virtual Reality Technology in Higher Education: An Evaluation of Five Teaching Semesters in a Purpose-Designed Laboratory. Education and Information Technologies, 27(1), 1287–1305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10653-6

Mercan, Z., & Kandır, A. (2024). The Effect of the Early STEAM Education Program on the Visual-Spatial Reasoning Skills of Children: Research from Turkey. Education 3–13, 52(2), 123–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2022.2075906

Pejcinovic, B., & Holtzman, M. (2024). Tinkercad—Not Just for Kids. 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--48157

Šafhalter, A., Glodež, S., Šorgo, A., & Ploj Virtič, M. (2022). Development of Spatial Thinking Abilities in Engineering 3D Modeling Course Aimed at Lower Secondary Students. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 32(1), 167–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-020-09597-8

Simou, S., Baba, K., & Nounah, A. (2022). The Integration of 3D Technology for the Conservation and Restoration of Ruined Archaeological Artifacts. History of Science and Technology, 12(1), 150–168. https://doi.org/10.32703/2415-7422-2022-12-1-150-168

Sun, Y. (2023). Action-Based Embodied Design: Spatial-Mathematical Learning Experiences With Tinkercad 3D Modeling for Elementary Students. Digital Experiences in Mathematics Education, 9(3), 492–507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40751-023-00129-2

Takáč, O., Kanta, R., & Takáčová, A. (2023). Use of Tinkercad as Part of Programming in Elementary School Computer Science Classes. Asian Journal of Education and E-Learning, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.24203/ajeel.v11i1.7158

Tejera, M., Galiç, S., & Lavicza, Z. (2025). 3D Modelling and Printing in Teacher Education: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal for STEM Education Research, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-025-00147-2

Vidal-Silva, C., Cárdenas-Cobo, J., Tupac-Yupanqui, M., Serrano-Malebrán, J., & Sánchez, A. (2024). Developing Programming Competencies in School-Students with Block-Based Tools in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. IEEE Access, 12, 118924–118936. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3449228

Zhao, W., Su, L., & Dou, F. (2023). Designing Virtual Reality Based 3D Modeling and Interaction Technologies for Museums. Heliyon, 9(6), e16486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16486

Downloads

Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Abrori, F. M., & Fadhail, M. A. (2025). 3-Dimensional Modeling Training for Pre-Service Teachers Through The Tinkercad Platform. Communautaire: Journal of Community Service, 4(1), 83–94. https://doi.org/10.61987/communautaire.v4i1.1017

Issue

Section

Articles