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Peer Review

Creative Computing

Reviewed:

Dec 2, 2017 by Teacher Education
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:

The guide can be used in a variety of settings (classrooms, clubs, museums, libraries, and more) with a variety of learners (K-12, college, and beyond). No prior experience with computer programming is required, only a sense of adventure and a desire for building learner creativity.

Type of Material:

Reference Material
Recommended Uses:

In-class, group, individual, home, clubs, teams.
Technical Requirements:

PDF reader and Flash plug-in for viewing the studios; means to hear audio; must create a free account.
Identify Major Learning Goals:

Learners are engaged in developing digital literacy and 21st century skills through use of computer programming. The major goals include: 1) Learning how to code 2) Developing creativy 3) Learning how to think logically.
Target Student Population:

Target population are K-12 instructors to help with lesson plans using Scratch. College level educators can modify the material for older students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic computer skills.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

Guide provides objectives for each segment of the skill building components. User can easily follow along. The teacher guide provides activities for each section.
Concerns:

None

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

Teachers can use this guide to develop programming, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Lessons can be integrated in STEAM courses. The material would be useful for clubs as well. Exercises allow instructors to create hardcopy or electronic handouts for many different activities.
Concerns:

None.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

Easy to follow. Easy to convert into lessons. The guide is laid out in columns and uses pictures and large print.
Concerns:

None.
Other Issues and Comments:

Guide is available in several languages, there is a workbook for students, and it is available in editable formats for user customization. One of our reviewers has used and integrated this material into a digital media class at the community college level and found that it was useful and triggered new ideas for the classroom.
Creative Commons:
creative-commonscreative-commons by