Scratch is a block-based visual programming language that allows users to create interactive stories, games, and animations. It is designed for learners of all ages and requires no prior coding experience. In Scratch, users drag and drop blocks of code to control sprites. Projects can be shared online, allowing students to get feedback from peers. Scratch promotes autonomous learning by letting students learn at their own pace and through peer feedback. It is easier to use than other programming languages like Alice while still teaching programming concepts and skills like turn-taking.

1. Scratch
Amany Haroun AlKhayat
Convention Center – 212
3/17/2011 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM

2. Learning
 I am always ready to learn although I do not
always like being taught. ~Winston Churchill

3. Digital natives vs. Digital Immigrants
Digital Natives Digital Immigrants
Technology is Most of them find it
indispensable in their lives unfamiliar and strange
(Frand 2000) (Prensky 2001)
Way of thinking, behavior Trying to keeping pace with
and learning is different educational and societal
(Prensky) change (prensky)
Prefer to get information Rely on text
from different sources,
audio files, pictures, and
video , and text
Prefer to learn at their own Prefer learning in groups
pace (interactive web, wall
posts, peer correction,
sharing)
So, WDYT ????

4. Benefits of Technology
 Students will learn at their own pace.
 Teacher will be a facilitator to train the students to
use a certain software….
 Students learn fast and develop critical thinking
and research skills.
 Adapt to their learning styles whether visual,
auditory or kinesthetic (VAC)

5.  Students can share their projects and post
comments for peer correction.
 Discussion boards can be a very effective tool
between T & S and S & S.
 Peer feedback- peer correction- self correction-
research skills- narrowing down- all lead to
autonomous learning

6. Characteristics of autonomous
learner
 A student is responsible for his or her won
learning (Holec 1981)
 Does not depend on teacher instruction
 Become more creative, interactive and risktaking
(affective filter)
 Become aware of their own learning style
(Benson, 2001; Healy, 2007)

7. So What is Scratch

8. Scratch
 A drag and drop programming language made by
the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT.
 It’s a programming environment where learners
can create their own interactive stories,
animations, games, music, and art, and share
their creations on the web through a simple
programming syntax.

9. Programming!!
 The students do not need to have any prior
knowledge of programming.
 The just need to choose the sprites
and

10. use the blocks (by dragging and
Dropping them)
to get them going, saying, jumping,
singing…etc.

11. So how is it effective?
 Scratch has an online gallery where students can
upload their projects and share them online.
 They can get feedback from projects viewers and
this is effective in terms of learner autonomy.
 Students learn and design their projects at their
own pace (individualization of learning) and also
teachers have to make sure that objectives are
met (language input).
 Peer feedback

12. Advantages
 If we can compare it to the 3D programming
software Alice (www.alice.org)

13.  Much easier, less complicated, does not need
any specific software to get uploaded online, and
projects can be scratched easily and reposted.
 Users can take photos of whatever they want and
use them as sprites (authenticity, “animated
realia”)

14. Disadvantages
 Need more than one costume to change the
sprite’s movement (not in Alice)
 Not in 3D
 More complicated in terms of turn taking between
sprites; each sprite should have its own script.

15. It’s show time

16. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z-
ZdQzMnJ8

17. References
 www.educational-freeware.com/.../scratch.aspx
 Resnik, M., Kafai, Y., Maeda, J. (2007). A
Networked, Media-Rich Programming
Environment to Enhance Technological Fluency
at After-School Centers in Economically-
Disadvantaged Communities. National Science
Foundation (Information Technology
Research), 2003-2007

18. Thank you
 Contacts:
 Facebook: Amany Haroun Alkhayat
 Wikispace: http://languagehelper.wikispaces.com
 Email: amany_h@aucegypt.edu
 Email: anaucian@hotmail.com