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."
“Coding To Learn”
Click here for transcript of video.
MIT’s Mitch Resnick explains that young people can “read” with new
technologies, but Scratch can help teach them “write”.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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 is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
Scratch supports
STEM 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 is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
Scratch supports
ISTE 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 is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
Scratch supports
Clark 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 is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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 is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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.
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."
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
Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. See http://scratch.mit.edu."