Computing Environments

If Microworlds, Squeak, Scratch, Agent Sheets, Alice, GameMaker, Python and Ruby don't sound like random gibberish to you I need your help! I'm trying to describe the computational thinking capabilities that are drawn on and developed when kids operate in these programming environments. I'm also trying to sort them along a developmental continuum. Have you used these with kids? Why? What did they get out of their experiences, and how might that learning connect to more formal CS learning? THANKS!

Tags: gaming, pedagogy, science

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Permalink Reply by JoNelle on February 16, 2009 at 6:39pm

This sounds intriguing - and a great challenge for my students and for me. This year I want to be able to push and guide my students more in Scratch. We are in a new semester, so Scratch will be new to many.
VERY interested- keep in touch!
JoNelle

PS: I am working on a technology attitudes survey to administer soon. If you know of a tried and true survey one I would appreciate it!)

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Permalink Reply by Jane Krauss on February 17, 2009 at 1:07pm

I know people who know how to do this. I'm sending your question on. It's very important.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Krauss on February 17, 2009 at 1:08pm

Thanks Matt! I'm a nut for Papert and Mindstorms. It is dated in ways but the fundamentals haven't changed.
Scratch and PicoCrickets came straight out of the LOGO school, and they keep the constructivist flame Papert lit alive.