Scratch!
What is Scratch?
The way I would describe Scratch is as a user-friendly block-style coding program that is a super gentle way to allow people of all ages to start coding. It is simple, but there is much room to explore and create cool coding programs and games. It feels like a “gamification” of what normal coding is, making coding, something that is super intimidating to approach, feel down-to-earth and fun. There are multiple ways to approach Scratch, you could do it in a super structured way, and follow lesson plans and learn that way, or you can just mess around with the command block and “freestyle” your way through the command blocks. Overall, Scratch is a really good introduction to coding for young students, and I think it is a program that can definitely be more utilized in school, especially in younger grades, to help spark the love for coding.
My experience with Scratch
Personally, I loved using Scratch programming; it was something that I used around seven years ago, and it was really fun to come back to it. Compared to what it was like seven years ago, I was a bit disappointed. Very little has been added to the program, which made me sad because so much time has passed. But other than that, I really enjoyed using Scratch. Unfortunately, I could not access my old account and view my past projects, but I was allowed a fresh start with my new account. I had a lot of fun in the class, and I was able to make a pretty fun animation in the limited amount of time given. I think my classmates had a similar experience, with the tone of the class felt very lighthearted, and I was able to talk with them about how much fun they had. I have continued to mess around on the site for an hour after class, and I really had fun trying different things and trying to create some small games. Overall, the experience was super fun, and it was definitely a worthwhile experience that I hope to incorporate into my own classroom.
How do I see myself incorporating Scratch into the classroom?
How I see myself using this program in the future is how I experienced it back when I was first introduced to the program. I would love to introduce the program by highlighting some of the fantastic programs that have been created by students to help spark interest in students before having them dive into the program themselves. From there, I think I would have a pre-recorded screencast of myself creating a small line of code like making a car or a ball move around the screen. I think using a pre-recorded screencast is a more efficient way of introducing Scratch to students, as it allows students to go back, rewatch, and pause really taking it at their own pace; it also allows me to circulate the class and provide one on one help which I wouldn’t be able to do from the front of the class. After teaching the basics or Scratch, I think I would give some really loose instruction and just let the kids play around with the programming. I don’t know if I would connect Scratch to any other curriculum or subjects, I think coding on its own checks a lot of the curricular competencies, especially regarding critical thinking. I believe that giving students some unstructured time with Scratch will really foster creativity and allow them to create a deeper connection with the program than if I were forcing them to do specific things. Through doing this, I can create some students who are truly passionate about one of the most critical skills in the upcoming years.
Scratch Jr
Scratch Jr is something that I have never experienced or heard of, but after some research this is what I have found. differs from the original Scratch programming language in several notable ways. Specifically designed for younger children, typically aged 5 to 7, Scratch Jr features a simplified and user-friendly interface with larger, colorful blocks and icons, catering to the motor skills and cognitive abilities of early learners. The visual programming language in Scratch Jr is designed to be more accessible, utilizing a block-based system that eliminates the need for typing. Emphasizing storytelling and animation, Scratch Jr encourages children to create interactive stories, games, and animations, fostering creativity and imaginative expression. Unlike Scratch, Scratch Jr is available as a free app for tablets (iOS and Android) and as a desktop application for Windows and macOS, providing platform versatility for young learners. While Scratch offers a broader range of coding possibilities and more advanced features, Scratch Jr focuses on the basics to provide a developmentally appropriate introduction to coding for younger children.
My Scratch animation
Here is a small animation I made in class; it is unfinished, but it was a fun little project to work on
