Elementary programming language Cindy Reeves ITEC 7445 Mrs. Pearson July 14, 2014 Emerging Technology Cindy Reeves ITEC 7445 Mrs. Pearson July 14, 2014

Elementary programming language

Cindy Reeves

ITEC 7445

Mrs. Pearson

July 14, 2014

Emerging Technology

What is Scratch?

Scratch is a free web-based programming language developed for students between the ages of 8 and 16.

Scratch was developed by a research team from the MIT Media Lab, The Lifelong Kindergarten Group.

The team created a user friendly means for students to create and share their own interactive content.

While creating interactive stories, projects and animations students develop essential critical thinking and systematic reasoning skills.

Students can also connect and collaborate within the Scratch online community.

Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."

http://scratch.mit.edu/

“Coding To Learn”

MIT’s Mitch Resnick explains that young people can “read” with new technologies, but Scratch can help teach them “write”.


Click here for transcript of video.

http://www.ted.com/talks/mitch_resnick_let_s_teach_kids_to_code/transcript

Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy Vision and Mission Statement

Vision - Preparing and inspiring students to meet the challenges of the 21st century through quality academics with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math.

Mission Statement - Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy is dedicated to fostering all students' innate curiosity and joy of discovery by empowering students to be independent problem solvers with an emphasis on the integration of STEM in collaboration with parental and community support.


Scratch supportsSTEM Georgia certification goals

Clark Creek Elementary is working toward STEM certification in the state of Georgia. The state requires the following conditions must be met for certification:

Student centered learning will occur because of the seamless integration of technology and the engineering design process into the curriculum.

Through the adoption of The ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards, over half of all learning will take place at the adaptation level as students will have the skills and technology necessary to identify and create solutions to real world problems.

A pervasive atmosphere of collaboration will be evident through student learning, professional learning, and active partnerships with businesses and other professionals from the outside community.

All students will have safe, equitable access to reliable technology.


Scratch supportsISTE Standards for students

1. Creativity and innovation

2. Communication and collaboration

3. Research and information fluency

4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

5. Digital citizenship

6. Technology operations and concepts


Scratch supportsClark Creek STEM Academy’s mission and goals

Scratch is a tool that goes beyond just integrating science, technology, engineering, and math. It is a creative tool that encourages independent problem solving skills and collaboration.

Students engage in problem solving and computational thinking by designing and programming interactive media to create such things as interactive stories or simulations.

Students can create games which require critical thinking skills to both design and play.


Scratch training and implementation

Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy has an instructional technology specialist that provides weekly training on Scratch and other emerging technologies. Teachers may also request assistance in training students.

The target audience for using Scratch at Clark Creek is the third through fifth grade students.

I recommend that once teachers are trained, they should be given time to collaborate on creating differentiated lesson plans that integrate content standards with Scratch programming.


Scratch programming lessons

Learn Scratch is a web course designed by a team from La Salle Schools and Universities. Videos are available in English and Spanish.

Video tutorials are created by the MIT team are available.

ScratchEd is an online community for educators with curriculum resources.


http://learnscratch.org/

http://scratch.mit.edu/help/videos/

http://scratch.mit.edu/educators/

Classroom project ideas

While writing code, thinking critically about design and collaborating with others is a learning experience in itself. Scratch can and should be used to support the content standards as well. A couple of examples would be to create a Scratch project, game or simulation to:

Reflect on science inquiry to simulate a process like the water cycle. (GPS S4E3)

Illustrate a math concept like subtracting fractions. (MCC5.NF.1)

Bring an event in history to life.

Develop a game for an authentic project-based learning activity.


Differentiated Instruction

Scratch has great potential for differentiation because of the open ended nature of the program.

Gifted students often develop there own ideas for projects.

Students with learning disabilities are not constrained by reading and writing limitations.

Student collaboration provides support for English Language Learners.


Connect Scratch Projects to the Physical World

Other devices can connect to the computer allowing the physical world to interact with the Scratch projects.

Connect to MaKey MaKey and everyday objects can manipulate your project.

Connect to Lego WeDo sensors to detect distance, spin or control speed.

Connect to PicoBoard for light and sound sensors, buttons and sliders.

Connect to Kinect2Scratch to enable body movements to interact with programs.


http://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/How_to_Connect_to_the_Physical_World

http://www.makeymakey.com/




http://education.lego.com/en-us/lego-education-product-database/wedo/9580-lego-education-wedo-construction-set



https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10311

http://scratch.saorog.com/

Equipment and Software

Scratch is a free web-based software program that will run on most computers.

Internet access is required

Headphones with microphones are recommended, but not required.

Additional hardware (MaKey, MaKey; Lego WeDo; PicoBoard; and Microsoft Kinect) may be purchased to interface with Scratch.


Tech Support for Scratch

Scratch Help is the best place to find the technical support you need and it is free.

Get Started with Scratch

Scratch Guides

Explore the Scratch Community

Links for educators and parents

Discussion forums : “Questions about Scratch” and “Help with scripts”

The Cherokee County technology department supports all district schools with a technology specialist to provide technical support and maintenance for all computer hardware.


http://scratch.mit.edu/help/videos/

Equitable Access

Because Scratch is a web-based program, any student with access to a computer and the internet has access to the program. Clark Creek Elementary STEM academy is equipped with:

5 network connected desk top computers in every classroom

Promethean boards connected to a teacher laptop in every classroom

1 stationary computer lab

1 STEM focused robotics lab with computers and Lego robotics kits

We are working toward all classrooms housing a mobile laptop lab through SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales Tax), technology grants, and corporate sponsorship,

Students may also access Scratch from any home or public computer with internet access. Scratch projects would not be assigned for homework because not every student has access to an internet connected computer from home.


Internet Safety

Scratch is a web based program with a collaborative online community.

Student safety guidelines must include not revealing personal information online including but not limited to full name, address, phone number or links to any other form of social media

Scratch has a strict terms of use agreement that prohibits any content that promotes discrimination, violence, foul language, etc. Violators accounts will be suspended.

Students must also adhere to the Cherokee County Acceptable Use Policy and Internet Safety Guidelines.


http://scratch.mit.edu/terms_of_use/

http://portal.cherokee.k12.ga.us/board/Online%20Policy%20Manual/IFBG%20-%20Internet%20Acceptable%20Use.pdf

http://portal.cherokee.k12.ga.us/departments/technology/Documents/Internet_Safety_Guidelines.pdf

Reflection

Through my research of Scratch programming, I have come to realize what a powerful tool the researchers at MIT have created for students around the world. The students have the ability to create an interactive piece of software, share it, and have others remix and build upon it. What an authentic and exciting way to develop higher-order thinking skills in a collaborative environment!

As I continue to develop the student-centered project-based learning environment in my classroom, I will create projects that will give my students the opportunity to learn and use the Scratch programming language in their products.


Resources

Choi, B., Jung, J., & Baek, Y. (2013). In what way can technology enhance student learning? A preliminary study of technology supported learning in mathematics. In R. McBride & M. Searson (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2013 (p. 3 – 9). Chesapeake, VA: AACE

Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy School Improvement Plan 2013 – 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014 from http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/clarkcreekes/accountability/School%20Improvement%20Plan/CCES%20SIP%202013-14web.pdf

Georgia Department of Education. STEM Georgia: K-12 science, technology, engineering, & mathematics. Retrieved July 3, 2014, from stemgeorgia.org.

Peppler, K.A. & Warschauer, M. (2011). Uncovering literacies, disrupting stereotypes: Examining the (Dis)Abilities of a child learning to computer program and read. International Journal of Learning and Media. 3:3. ( p. 15 -41). Massachusetts, MIT Press Journals doi: 10.1162/IJLM_a_00073

Resnick, M., Maloney, J.,Monroy-Hernandez.,Rusk, N., Eastmond, E., . . . Kafai, Y. (2009, November) Scratch: programming for all. Communications of the ACM. 52:11 (p. 60 – 67). doi:10.1145/1592761.1592779
