Scratch Programming

This webquest is designed to help students develop their 21st century skills through computer programming.  The assignment outlined in this webquest will take between 40-60 minutes to complete.  Visit  http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Support/Get_Started for help to get started by downloading the Scratch program to your computer.  On this page you will also click links to video tutorials: http://info.scratch.mit.edu/Video_Tutorials that will help you understand the power of a program such as Scratch.

Standards

2009 New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards - Technology

The following standards are for 8th grade students.

Content Area Technology
Standard 8.1 Educational Technology: All students will use digital tools to access, manage, evaluate, and synthesize information in order to solve problems individually and collaboratively and to create and communicate knowledge.

8.1.4.A.1 Demonstrate effective input of text and data using an input device.
8.1.4.A.3 Create and present a multimedia presentation that includes graphics.
8.1.8.A.3 Create a multimedia presentation including sound and images.
8.1.8.A.5 Select and use appropriate tools and digital resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and to solve problems.
The use of digital tools and media-rich resources enhances creativity and the construction of knowledge.
8.1.12.B.1 Design and pilot a digital learning game to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to one or more content areas or a real world situation.
Digital tools and environments support the learning process and foster collaboration in solving local or global issues and problems.
8.1.8.C.1 Participate in an online learning community with learners from other countries to understand their perspectives on a global problem or issue, and propose possible solutions.
The design process is a systematic approach to solving problems.
8.2.4.B.1 Develop a product using an online simulation that explores the design process.

Credits

www.scratch.mit.edu
http://www.iste.org/standards
http://www.state.nj.us/education/cccs/standards/8/8-1.htm
images were retrieved from www.google.com

Other

Scratch is a program that can be used with fairly young students all the way up the education chain to higher education. This should not intimidate teachers or students who have never used the program before. It is pretty easy to grasp the various concepts that are being taught, the interface will remind users of the program Paint which many learned to use in the early days of learning how to use technology.