Thanks to Wes Fryer for his tip about Scratch. I’m still very green in terms of Web 2.0 apps, and Mr. Fryer was kind enough to offer up some very useful comments regarding my initial writings. His mention of Scratch really got me thinking, and the following comments in this post are a product of the excitement I feel about being connected in even the smallest fashion with educators like Mr. Fryer.
Scrach is a new freely downloadable programming language based on Sqeak that will allow your students to create interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art — all poised to share across the Web! Now we’re talking!According to Mitchel Resnick, LEGO Professor of Learning Research and head of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Laboratory, the name “Scratch” is a play on words based on the Hip Hop notion of scratching… also referencing the idea of mixing or blending creative ideas together in order to then produce a new and fresh idea or concept. I just watched the overview video on this tool and am literally buzzing with excitement! Check it out!
To get a better idea of how Scratch works, watch the following “Intro to Scratch” Video created by a young scratch user!
Mitchel Resnick offers a great ‘effects’ tutorial here. Can’t wait to get started using Scratch with my kids! Can you?
Technorati Tags: scratch, programming, learning, collaboration, MIT, creativity
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Scratch is on my list of things to full around with next year. Let us know how you end up using it.
bcarrera.edublogs.org
Greetings from down-under, country NSW, Australia. I am an IT manager with a background in teaching highschool technology subjects. Initially I spotted Scratch on the Wes Fryer blog and saw the potential for introducing programming and annalytical thinking for studnts, with an emphasis on fun.(Engage=Learn=Fun)
I am looking atimplementing scratch as an introductory programming app for year 7,8 (12-13 age group)students at our college.
Some interesting other thoughts from the “ridge”
Fred Wrightson
http://themax.pbwiki.com
fjwrightson@gmail.com
Greetings to you, Fred! I am very excited about Scratch and the possibilities it holds for allowing my kids (same age group: 11-14 yrs) to enhance their analytical thinking prowess and have fun with Scratch. Will check out your pbwiki site and welcome future communication with you as your efforts w/the software and your kids progress. Never hesitate to write or email, as I thrive on communication with fellow professionals.
All the very best – Kevin