Student Screen Time Recommendations

Here is what we have learned from teachers in the decades Rhino has been taught in classrooms around the world.

Our foundational, version-agnostic training materials are built into Rhino and available here. They come in PDF and HTML formats, and there are tests that parallel the training material. However, you're welcome to find other materials or write your own if you prefer.

To network with other teachers, the Rhino for Education website is the best place to access the curriculum guide, post questions, and see examples of class projects from other teachers.

Our self-paced courses are also available for independent learning. For questions about the Learning site, contact Jackie Nasser in our Miami office, who oversees it.

Below are our answers to the best of our knowledge. We'd also encourage you to ask other teachers for their input on the Ning site.

• Recommended usage time per instructional session: 30 minutes
• Recommended number of sessions per week: 1–2 sessions/week
• Typical weekly usage based on our implementation recommendations: Rhino is excellent for teaching geometric shapes — creating solid primitives, rotating the view, assigning color, and capturing or printing a screenshot.
• Summary: At this grade level, Rhino is intended for occasional use.

• Recommended usage time per instructional session: 45 minutes
• Recommended number of sessions per week: 2–3 sessions/week
• Typical weekly usage based on our implementation recommendations: Small projects modeled in Rhino and 3D printed — coasters, keychains with a school logo, a cell phone holder. Fun, simple models with a clear design purpose. Using a 3D printer or laser cutter tends to be an “eye-opening” experience for students.
• Summary: At this grade level, Rhino is intended for supplemental use.

• Recommended usage time per instructional session: 1–2 hours
• Recommended number of sessions per week: 3–4 sessions/week
• Typical weekly usage based on our implementation recommendations:
  • Work through the Level 1 & 2 Training Guide.
  • Supplement with the Getting Started projects (fast-paced — about 2 hours from a blank screen to a finished model) and other projects you find.
  • Test with the Level 1 & 2 Certification Testing.
  • Some advanced students may go on to complete Level 2.
  • Others may want to explore Grasshopper for parametric design, especially if they're in advanced math or programming classes.
  • Whenever possible, combine 3D printing, CNC, or laser cutting with Rhino projects.
• Summary: At this grade level, Rhino is intended for daily use.

We believe this is a realistic guideline; however, many variations of it will also work well for certain groups of students.

Questions? Email tech@mcneel.com, Attn: Mary.

Mary Ann Fugier, McNeel Technical Support and Training, Seattle, WA (8/17/2026)