Archive for August 18th, 2011
Scratch the STEM Itch
Programming in Scratch
I think it is about time more of our students start applying mathematics and logic earlier in life. It would be great if there was a simplified programming application that would inspire young minds to develop a computer game instead of always buying someone else’s hard work. Does that sound familiar? Have you too secretly been chanting “Let’s stop consuming and start producing?” Great, then you know what I am typing into WordPress then.
Here it is, simplified and ready for your *gasp* third grade class. It is called Scratch, and it is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art — and share your creations on the web.
As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.
Scratch is designed with learning and education in mind. As young people create and share projects in Scratch, they develop important design and problem-solving skills, learning how to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.
Scratch can be used in many different settings: schools, museums, community centers, and homes. It is intended especially for 8 to 16-year-olds, but younger children can work on Scratch projects with their parents or older siblings, and college students use Scratch in some introductory computer science classes.
If you too want to inspire young minds to think creatively and problem-solve, then you should keep reading!
To learn more about the educational ideas underlying Scratch, there are a lot of resources including a collection of handouts, articles, and papers available:
A collection of one-page overviews on what and how people can create, learn and program with Scratch
Programming Concepts in Scratch
An overview of the computational concepts and skills young people can develop by creating with Scratch
Scratch and 21st Century Learning Skills
An overview of the learning skills young people can develop by creating with Scratch
Learning by Designing
A brief introduction to design-based approaches to learning
If you are an educator, please visit http://scratched.media.mit.edu/resources for research and resources, and to explore other Scratch uses in the classroom.
Check out this additional MIT alias for Scratch as well – http://clutter.scratch.mit.edu/
Keep Scratch-in!
Atmosphir
Via Scoop.it – Video Game Design
Design and play your own adventures for free at http://atmosphir.com ! For those who teach video game classes … a 3D RPG. It is a free 3D world creator with pre-built worlds to customize.
Show original
After the Deadline – Spell, Style, and Grammar Checker for WordPress, Firefox, TinyMCE, jQuery, and CKEditor
Via Scoop.it – RIA
We use artificial intelligence and natural language processing technology to find your writing errors and offer smart suggestions. Our technology is available under the GNU General Public License. Use “After the Deadline” In your browser: After the Deadline is available as a Firefox add-on and a Google Chrome extension. Now you can use our technology on any site. With your blog: For bloggers, After the Deadline is available as a WordPress plugin. You may also use our Intense Debate plugin to let your readers check their comments. On your site: Add our grammar, style, and spelling checker to your forms with our plugins for jQuery and TinyMCE. Our server technology is open source too. With OpenOffice.org Writer: Our grammar, style, and misused word checker is available as an OpenOffice.org extension.
Show original
Vikido is a social sharing platform, designed for the web and mobile, that brings the entire family together in a fun, safe way.
Via Scoop.it – Apps for your class
With Vikido, children can create audio, video or pictographic content to share instantly with their parents. Create and share video, audio, text and photos – your imagination will soar as you create memories to capture forever together. Experience educational content and play games – your children can learn new things and you can see what they are doing. Vikido is a safe, child-friendly environment so that your children can join the conversation
Show original
picjuice.com – online photo editor
Via Scoop.it – RIA
Easy online photo editor… With picjuice you can easily edit your photos: resize, crop, rotate, flip and adjust contrast and color levels. After you have finished, click on the “Save” icon to download your photo.
Show original
