An Introduction to Scratch in the Classroom (NCTE/Lero)

Date:Wednesday 26^th February, 5^th, 12^th & 19^th March

Venue: St. Patrick’s Girls’ National School, Carndonagh

Time: 6.00 pm – 8.30 pm

Facilitator: Jacinta Hardy

Scratch is a free application, developed by the MIT Media Lab, which allows users to create and share their own interactive stories, animations and games. It is easier to use than traditional programming languages as it consists of graphical blocks which snap together.  This course enables teachers to use Scratch to support teaching and learning, both at primary and post primary level.

Course Objectives:

Participants will be enabled to 

Develop basic skills in the Scratch programming language

• Develop an interactive game using Scratch
• Explore the use of Scratch to support teaching and learning
• Describe how Scratch can be used to support the curriculum objectives of their own class level/subject area

Course Content

Introduction to the basic skills and concepts of Scratch
Module 1 will focus on introducing participants to Scratch, and enabling them to master the basic concepts and skills of Scratch programming. Participants will also discuss the use of Scratch as a support for teaching and learning. Participants should be able to create a basic Scratch project or game.

Using Scratch in the classroom, sharing projects, troubleshooting
Module 2 will focus on using Scratch in the classroom, both at primary and post primary level. Participants will share their own Scratch games, and will be introduced to other online resources to support them in their ongoing use of Scratch in the classroom. Participants will learn how to troubleshoot with Scratch.

Prerequisites:

Intermediate level ICT skills and experience of using the internet