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 2.0
(Recommend downloading the installed version.  The online version often runs slowly or may experience lag.)

Teacher Introduction
to Scratch 2.0

Picture
In the summer of 2013, 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 (assuming your web browser already has Adobe Flash Player)
  • an installed version (with all the features of the web-based version plus add-ons for Lego WeDo and other electronics!)


As a result of this release, Mr. Rich is remaking his videos!  Stay tuned to this page for the latest details!

Web-based vs. Installed

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.