TWT2010_7.+Scratch_A+tool+for+presentation,+simulation,+games+and+digital+storytelling

Description:
Scratch is an easy to use multimedia tool that can be used by people of all ages to express ideas in an interactive, multimedia way. Scratch was created by educators and technologists at the MIT Media Lab to be a powerful tool, but yet easy to use. I have addicted many a student to Scratch so they could explore multimedia and programming on their own, but there are many teachers using this application. Their students use it explain science, math and history concepts through simulation or multimedia presentations ,use content from your course to make interactive games and stories, to explore basic and complex math concepts, create language presentations and games in Arabic, French,Italian, Mandarin, Spanish and many other languages. Students can share these presentation with each other and with others students around the world on the Scratch website. In thirty minutes or less, you will be a Scratcher (your kids will take ten minutes). Recording of the session: media type="custom" key="5950379" Before the workshop:


 * GET SCRATCH - IT IS FREE - []
 * Join up on the scratch site to check out projects using Scratch (the quality and purpose of these projects vary widely, but I will give you some highlights at the workshop).
 * Find some technologically **//curious//** kids. Ask them if they are using Scratch. If not, suggest they check it out (it is a free piece of software that works on macs and pcs(windows/linux)).
 * Give Scratch a try by yourself. It was designed to be easy to use and quick to learn

Here some links to some good materials:
 * [] - this is the space for teachers using scratch to share advice, resources and experiences. It is a great source of materials for you first few classed
 * I found this there, we are using some of it today- []
 * [] - this page is chuck full of resources. Again, some you are seeing today are here.

Here are some sample files covered in the workshop: