Useful Tool for Drawing 3D - Google sketchup

I was at the Times bookstore last Saturday as it was my birthday month and I wanted to spend away 20% discount card.  I came across a new free tool called Google Sketchup.  It is tool that allows for drawing of 3D diagrams. 

I think that it will be a useful tool for Science Teachers.  If you do a google on sketchup, you can also find many free models for sciences available through the internet.  I have not learnt how to use it yet, but will definitely get to loading and using it.

The tool is available for download at http://sketchup.google.com/

Software Recommendation: Dia - A Free Software To Draw Circuit Diagrams

Dia :  A Free Visio-like Software

In teaching electricity, there is always a need to draw many circuit diagrams.  I had initially used the Art box in Microsoft Word to draw the diagrams.  However, I found it a little cumbersome as constant adjustment of the diagrams are needed especially linking between the different circuit components.

I was introduced to Microsoft Visio and I do admit it is useful, but too much an overkill for me as it is relatively expensive considering the fact that I only want to use it draw electrical diagrams.

Recently, I came across a free, open-source software called Dia.  It is a great software, as it contains most of circuit components that you can easily find in the A-level syllabus.
It is a slightly scaled down version of Visio, but definitely serves my purpose.

This is a definitely a good tool to have with you.

[Click on the title of this writeup to access the site to download the software.]