Final Thoughts and Future Plans
Prior to taking EDTECH597, I had experimented a bit with the concepts of Making and had attended a few workshops on the subject. However, my focus had been using kits like Little Bits and preprogrammed games with the Makey Makey. I was therefore eager to take a course that focused on Making and would help to expand my knowledge of the Maker Culture and was thrilled that there was going to be an emphasis on Scratch.
I had experimented with Scratch in the past but had always felt dizzy with all the different possibilities and typically gave up after an hour. The structure of the course and the text helped to focus my attention on the key skills of Scratch and I was soon able to piece everything together and create my own programs. As I continued through the course, I began to think of programs that I could create to help teachers in a variety of different subjects, specifically Math and Language, beyond what was required of the text.
Over the next few months, I plan to continue my experimentation with Scratch and Makey Makey but will also be looking at how I can use Scratch with the Lego WeDo as well. Ideally, I would like to begin integrating Scratch into the curriculum in some way but am currently focusing on developing their use within the after school elective program. Currently I'm offering a Lego WeDo program for grades 1-3 and am currently debating having an session for students in grades 4 and 5 as well.
Overall, I felt challenged in this course and am glad I took it. I learned a valuable skill by learning to program with Scratch and will continue to look for ways to expand my knowledge in the program after the course is completed.
I had experimented with Scratch in the past but had always felt dizzy with all the different possibilities and typically gave up after an hour. The structure of the course and the text helped to focus my attention on the key skills of Scratch and I was soon able to piece everything together and create my own programs. As I continued through the course, I began to think of programs that I could create to help teachers in a variety of different subjects, specifically Math and Language, beyond what was required of the text.
Over the next few months, I plan to continue my experimentation with Scratch and Makey Makey but will also be looking at how I can use Scratch with the Lego WeDo as well. Ideally, I would like to begin integrating Scratch into the curriculum in some way but am currently focusing on developing their use within the after school elective program. Currently I'm offering a Lego WeDo program for grades 1-3 and am currently debating having an session for students in grades 4 and 5 as well.
Overall, I felt challenged in this course and am glad I took it. I learned a valuable skill by learning to program with Scratch and will continue to look for ways to expand my knowledge in the program after the course is completed.
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geralt. (2016). Balloon thought bubble head man [Digital image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/balloon-thought-bubble-head-man-912805/ Creative Commons Licensed