PBS KIDS Scratch Jr app is free. It features introductory programming language and allows users to create interactive stories and games. It is geared toward ages 5-8. "By snapping together colorful programming blocks, children can make characters move, jump, dance and sing. In the process, kids will learn to solve problems, design projects and express themselves creatively on a tablet.
Type of Material:
Drill and Practice
Recommended Uses:
Children can create their own interactive stories, games, and animations using selected PBS Kids characters. Depending on the setting and available devices, the Scratch Jr. app could be used as in-class work, independent exploration, and/or self-paced work.
The site is useful for teaching coding and story-boarding.
Technical Requirements:
iOS 7.0 or later; Android 4.4 and up
Identify Major Learning Goals:
This collaboration between MIT developers of the Scratch programming language and PBS Kids is designed to introduce children to coding. Children do not need any prerequisite skills to use this app. The app uses story-making with blocks of code to direct characters' actions. The site is designed to teach kids to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively, as well as to code.
Target Student Population:
The Scratch Jr. app is designed for students ages 5-8; it would be useful for older children who are unfamiliar with coding.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
No prerequisite skills or knowledge are required to use this app.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The ScratchJr app supports the development of computational thinking through designing, creating, and sharing stories. Children using this app engage in creative coding and they learn how to create and express themselves with technology. Fun, creativity, very basic coding skills and imagination are the key features. The content is visually appealing to young children.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The app is designed to be engaging and allow children to approach and use the tools in a variety of ways to generate stories. These tools are very age-appropriate and fun. There are colorful programming blocks that "snap" together to create sequences of action. Characters and backgrounds are from PBS Kids shows and can be easily mixed and matched. Paint editing is available for creating unique characters and background. The voice recording tool allows for sounds and voice to be added to projects. And, there are story starters that can be edited to help inspire the young creators.
It can be easily integrated into a coding lesson.
Concerns:
None
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
How to use this app is actually built into it. The app is image-based. There is a video that visually shows hows to tap and drag the building components. Also included are story starters, a visual interface guide, a paint editor guide, and a blocks guide. The settings can be adjusted for English or Spanish.
Concerns:
None.
Creative Commons:
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