Week 4 - Scratch in the Classroom

After the classroom experience with Scratch last week, I definitely learned something new. I have never programed before and Scratch's simplistic design with a "low floor" made it fun and interesting. However, with my lack of experience using a programming software of any kind (scratch included), I don't know how much use it would get in my classroom.

Cameron's presentation last week provided some very good discussion points about how little programming we really use in today's classroom. With the exception of Excel, I can honestly say that I do no programming in my classroom (unless, like I said last week, I do and I simply don't know that it is called). I mean, most of the programming that needs to be done in my class is usually done through templates on Web 2.0/3.0 programming sites.

These sites are just another case of being able to do something (create something) but if it doesn't work, we have no idea how to fix the programming to make it work. This aspect of scratch is something that I feel everyone should be learning. At least the concepts of why increasing the "X" or "Y" coordinate +/- 10 moves the characters the way it does. The logic behind these types of inputs are crucial for students to learn and understand. It doesn't matter whether the program is scratch or excel, our students need to understand the logic.

The more I think about it, the more I feel that programming needs to be incorporated into my curriculum but I am still at a loss how (besides the obvious making quizzes/test/reviews). I do feel however, that the more I play with it (play being the operative word), the more creative ways I will be able to come up with to use it in my classroom.