Scratch: a sneak preview

Abstract

Scratch is a networked, media-rich programming environment designed to enhance the development of technological fluency at after-school centers in economically-disadvantaged communities. Just as the LEGO MindStorms robotics kit added programmability to an activity deeply rooted in youth culture (building with LEGO bricks), Scratch adds programmability to the media-rich and network-based activities that are most popular among youth at after-school computer centers. Taking advantage of the extraordinary processing power of current computers, Scratch supports new programming paradigms and activities that were previously infeasible, making it better positioned to succeed than previous attempts to introduce programming to youth.Our working hypothesis is that, as kids work on personally meaningful Scratch projects such as animated stories, games, and interactive art, they will develop technological fluency, mathematical and problem solving skills, and a justifiable self-confidence that will serve them well in the wider spheres of their lives.

Using scalable game design to promote 3D fluency: Assessing the AgentCubes incremental 3D end-user development framework

“…Most tools support either 2D or 3D authoring. For example, NetLogo 2 [5] and Scratch 3 [6] are 2D authoring environments aimed at K-12; BlueJ 4 and GreenFoot 5 are targeted for more advanced students, typically at the undergraduate level, and Macromedia Flash at professional designers. Alice 6 [7], NetLogo 3D 2 , StarLogo TNG [8], DarkBASIC 7 , and Macromedia Director are 3D authoring environments with varying degrees of usability for different audiences.…”

Guided Debugging Practices of Game Based Programming for Novice Programmers

“…Thus, this study tried to design game based examples in Scratch to facilitate the teaching of debugging for novice programmers. Scratch provides a visual programming environment targeted for creation of interactive stories, animations, games, art as well as music applications [18]- [20]. Although the original design is for school children aged from 8 to 16, its usage has been spread to any age level.…”

Learning Programming through Games and Contests: Overview, Characterisation and Discussion

“…Students develop algorithmic thinking or computational thinking at secondary and even at primary school. Using simple programming languages such as Scratch became accessible to young children (Maloney et al, 2004).…”