Week 10 / Scratch Project Draft and StoryBoard

Below is the StoryBoard for my game based upon the works and themes of author Edgar Allan Poe.

*Play my game Identifying Edgar Allan Poe in the Scratch projects library.

(click on the photo to enlarge)

Week 9 / Scratch Project Ideas

I am having a really difficult time figuring out what I am going to do for my final Scratch project. English is my field of specialty, and there are so many different topics to potentially focus on; I keep changing my mind. At first I wanted to do something involving homophones, words that are pronounced the same, but have different meaning. Now I think I am going to do something with literature themes. I am still unsure about it though; I am going to keep brainstorming, hoping for a genius idea to pop into my mind. I would like to create a Pac-man style game. If I go with the literature themes I could have the player, a character correlated with the theme, walk around the board collecting appropriately themed items, while avoiding three or four appropriately themed hunters. For example, using a black cat as the main character, some dark and scary ghosts as the items to be collected, and birds as the hunters; an Edgar Allen Poe theme. To make the game challenging and educational I would place some inappropriately themed items in the board and if the player picked them up, or gets hit by a bird hunter, then the game is over. Then for level two I could switch to another theme, but use the same set up idea. At the end of the game I could provide a slide that states correct theme and items to be collected; like a follow up review.

This idea is far from being finalized. I am still going to keep tossing ideas around and see if I can be a little more creative with it. I have been having a difficult time working with the Scratch program; it is very complicated. I am  going to spend several extra hours playing with it this weekend to see if I can improve my game creating skills and ideas. 

Double Entry Journal #7

1. Why should programming be part of school curriculum?

Because of the growing use of technology, computer integrated instruction and media based resources should definitely be implemented into the school classroom and curriculum. In today's age, technology is the foundation of nearly everything we do; in both formal and informal settings. "Computer programming is integral knowledge across disciplines from the sciences to the arts, yet minorities and low-income students are notably absent in computer science-related fields" (Kafai, Peppler, & Chiu, p. 2) Many times children of low-income families do not have access to computers, or the newest form of technology at home. Also, schools in lower income areas sometimes do not have access to technology based resources. Incorporating computer programming and computer based technology into the curriculum would not only help to prepare students for the future, but also supply them with a route to develop and express their learning and creativity. 

2. What are the barriers to implementing programming in schools?  

There are many barriers that prevent computer programming from being implemented into the school curriculum; barriers such as income, field related content, and academic abilities. In regards to low-income, "if members of low-income and minority communities gain access to new technologies, they are introduced in such a way that neglects to take the local context into consideration, and are often presented in such ways that reinforce rote learning activities rather than cognitively demanding activities" (Kafai, Peppler, & Chiu, p. 3). In regards to field content, "pedagogy is strictly monitored in today’s schools via national and state standards" (Kafai, Peppler, & Chiu, p. 17) Although, computer programming can be very beneficial to the educational processes if implemented in a fashion that allows students to engage in activities that use their prior knowledge, interests, resources, and creativity. Because not all educational institutions have the means or appropriate courses to provide access to computer programming and technology, they will consequently not be given the opportunity to build and develop skills related to codes, programming, game building, and media applications. 

3. How can barriers to implementing programming in schools be overcome? 

A great way to break through the barriers for implementing computer programming in the school setting is through the use of workshops, projects, galleries, and presentations that are fun, engaging, and functional to students on both the developmental and personal level. "Youth have an interest in video games, music videos, cartoon animations, and interactive, design based art, which are a natural springboard into creating and programming" (Kafai, Peppler, & Chiu, p. 4) The use of computer based technology, added into the general curriculum, has a major impact on the future aspirations and career choices of students. Computer based programming provides students with a sense of confidence, capability, and the skills they need to build a successful future. Technology provides major advancements to the learning and developmental processes. Overcoming barriers and ensuring that computer based programming is implemented into the curriculum is essential.

Kafai, Yasmin B., Peppler, Kylie A., & Chiu, Grace M. (n.d). High Tech Programmers in Low-Income Communities: Creating a Computer Culture in a Community Technology Center. California: (n.p).

Double Entry Journal #6 / Scratch

Quote one:

"Researchers interested in computer-supported collaborative learning have paid little attention to the field of arts and design education as the more prominent focus has been on science, mathematics and to a lesser degree, social studies and language arts" (Peppler, Kafai, p. 1).

I found this quote to be quite shocking. With the growing use of technology and computer supported learning, I am amazed that the art and design fields have not in some way focused more on implementing instructional technology in the classroom. Obviously it is going to be easier to incorporate computer supported learning into some content areas than others, but technology is a very useful tool that can in one way or another be included in even the art and design field. There are a vast variety of programs that would accommodate these fields, and I would imagine that a field like design would especially be enhanced by technology. We are living in the technology age, and everyday it is being incorporated more and more into our daily lives. It is important to include, along with the regular curriculum, the use of computer based learning regardless of the content area.

Quote two:

"Today, literacy can be broadly defined as including any type of communicative interaction involving speaking, reading, listening, and writing with text in print and non-print forms" (Hagood, Stevens, & Reinking, 2002, p. 2). 

I absolutely agree with this definition of literacy. Literacy is very important; it is the key to life. Like technology, literacy is also an enormous part of our everyday lives. We use our literacy skills for everything we do. In today's age it is not only important to be able to read, write, listen, and orally communicate, it is also important to be able to use computer based learning resources. I believe that the traditional literacy based abilities will never fade away, but as we progress into the future I believe that computer based literacy will continue to develop and be incorporated more and more into the educational system as well. Literacy, no matter what form, is an ability that should be greatly promoted and focused on.  

Quote three: 

"Despite Brandy’s ability to do sophisticated work on the computer (and was now in many ways technologically fluent), Brandy was still unable to read at grade level and had very much stayed at the same level in both reading and writing" (Peppler, Kafai, p. 3).

I found this quote to be a combination of inspiring and worrisome. It is fantastic that computer based technology encouraged and helped Brandi become more educationally involved, but being able to read at an age appropriate level is paramount. Reading is the foundation of learning; every part of life builds upon it. If I were working with Brandi I would suggest doing some computer based learning that focused specifically on reading. Because she has become comfortable and fluent with technology, using it to advance her reading abilities would be most beneficial. As far as learning goes, there is no one correct way to support and advance the processes. Everyone learns differently, the key is finding the best method for the individual; and utilizing that method to build upon other subjects and abilities.

Peppler, Kylie A., Kafai, Yasmin B. (n.d.) Collaboration, Computation, and Creativity: Media Arts Practices in Urban Youth Culture. California: (n.p.).

Hagood, M. C., Stevens, L. P., & Reinking, D. (2002). What do THEY Have to Teach US? Talkin' 'Cross Generations! In D. E. Alvermann (Ed.), Adolescents and Literacies in a Digital World. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.


Scratch animation ideas:

For my Scratch animation project I think am going to use homonyms; words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation but have different meanings. My field of specialty is English, and too often I see individuals use the wrong form of a word when writing. It is a mistake that can be easily made. I feel that creating a game that helps individuals learn how to use the proper form of words in context would be very beneficial; as well as fun and challenging to play.