What is Scratch?
Scratch is a free multimedia toolkit that enables teachers and students to program their own games, animations and interactive art. Those who make games can link their creations with others over their Internet. Teachers can create interactive games that promote subject specific learning, such as science and math games. Students can build their digital fluency by creating their own games.
My reflection on using Scratch
I found the Scratch program an entertaining experience, and foresee many children enjoying the task of creating and reaping the educational benefits that Scratch offers. After viewing various instructional videos on how to create my own game, I was set to go. I found the interface easy to navigate and programming easy to use. Scratch is an age appropriate program for primary school children.
Play my original game, Hungry Monkey.
Benefits of using Scratch in the classroom
Having used Scratch, I can see how students will have fun while expanding their digital fluency. Furthermore, students are able to express their individual ingenuity by creating original games, or work as a team by incorporating diverse ideas. Scratch promotes the use cognitive skills in learning how to program, express original ideas, problem solving, developing ideas and collaborate with others (Scratch, n.d., para 1).
Reference List:
Scratch. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/usingglowandict/gamesbasedlearning/gamedesign/scratch.asp
Scratch [image]. (2010). Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scratch_Logo.svg
Scratch 1 [image]. (2010). Retrieved from http://chrisbetcher.com/2010/10/teaching-kids-to-think-using-scratch/
3Cs of Scratch [image]. (2011). Retrieved from http://scratched.media.mit.edu/resources/3cs-scratch
