Editor's Note:  These notes are from the 2010's and are based on Scratch 2.0.  Currently, Scratch 3.0 has been out for a few years and is working very well online, so Mr. Rich has stopped using the download version and only has students working in the online version of Scratch.

Computer Programming with Scratch

Scratch is a software tool that helps students learn software programming. 
This is an entry-level tool (for students who have never programmed before).  It is free and open source software, and was developed by MIT.
    
Scratch Cat
   

Use Scratch Online
or Download Scratch 3.0
(Since Scratch 3.0 has been released, Mr. Rich now recommends using the online version that requires only a web browser and a user account on the Scratch site.)

Teacher Introduction
to Scratch 3.0

Picture
In 2019, the MIT Scratch Team released a new version of Scratch.

Actually, they released 2 versions:
  • a full-featured web-based version that requires no installation
  • an installed version that you can download for free

As a result of this release, Mr. Rich remade his videos for Frogger / Crossy Road and is making new videos for PacMan.

Web-based vs. Installed

Picture
Click for the Scratch Download page
Scratch 2.0 DownloadClick for download page


So, which version of Scratch 2.0 do I recommend?  Both versions look and act the same.  (So both are slightly different from Scratch's older version.)

​For me, it depends.  If I'm in a rush, then I'll use whatever computer is available and I'll use the online version.

However, when I've used it with 10 teachers in a tutorial session, they found significant lag between clicks and action.  (This was both frustrating and discouraging.)

Therefore, if you have the time and your administrator can install the software, I recommend this.


Teachers:
      There are so many different ways to learn how to code:
  • Video Game (this site)
  • Story Animation (Mr. YYY)
  • asdf


Also, there are different pedagogies for you to choose:
  • Teacher-led, then individual follow-the-video (requires headphones) - this site
  • Student-led and teacher-facilitated.  (e.g. Grade 8's complete assignment and high-flyer 8's are brought in to tutor the 7's.  High-flyer 7's are then brought in to tutor the 6's. - see here

About these Tutorials

All of the videos were made by me and you are free to use them in your classroom.  (Free to alter; free to mimic; free to download.)

If you like these tutorials and/or if you are using them in your classroom, please let me know.