When we started Scratch I was a little slow at getting it because I need to play around with things before I start to understand it. After class I began playing around with it and I am getting a little more comfortable with it now. It was fun to know that I created an “Avatar” and was making him do everything I wanted him to do. Now that I have my own classroom and some young kids in grade 5, I may use Scratch for a project. Scratch can be used for any subject and it is fun to use, which is what kids want. They don’t want to go to school and be bored and be forced to learn, instead they want to go to school, have fun, and not know that they are being educated. Scratch can make that happen. Scratch makes students open their minds and become creative. They can make their “Sprites” look like whatever they feel and make them do whatever they want. With Scratch, they hold a world of expression, students now cannot be afraid to show who they really are by expressing themselves through a “Sprite” in Scratch. Not only will Scratch be a creative tool for lesson and learning but can also help students come out of a shell and express who they are without ridicule.
Great post John, I’m the same way with new things. I need to explore before I feel comfortable. I also agree with tricking kids into learning. If it’s fun they will remember it and learn it. No more sitting and listening to a lecture.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I love your view on why to use Scratch in the classroom. I think your middle school kids will love the "gaming" aspect of it and you will be teaching logic, critical thinking, creativity, etc. without your students every really noticing. The hidden curriculum is an awesome aspect of scratch and for the students you will be dealing with, it will be an awesome tool! Good Post!
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteI work with 5th graders in an after school program and boy wouldn't my fifth grade boys jump on this! We have a virtual lego design program that they would spend all day on if you would let them. This is something they would have even more control over and more freedom with. Good idea!
Excellent thoughts John. Programs like scratch are great for those students who are sometime shy or who do not always fit in socially. They can then create something the way they want it with an avaitar of their choosing which allows them to become that much more invested in their learning experiences. I would suggest you keep my diigo handy for the scratch section with all of the great resources! I also have to play with programs a lot before I am comfortable!
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