Hello all.

vladmirfox

Hello members of this community I am an 18 year old soon to be college student taking computer science classes and I thought that the Scratch language would be a nice way to teach my younger siblings (6 year old brother and 8 year old sister) the basics of programming without having to type line after line of text and deal with complex debugging issues and many many other such errors. If anyone has any advice on getting started teaching them I would greatly appreciate it.

Last edited by vladmirfox (Aug. 6, 2013 22:46:27)

turkey3

I have some advice. Before you explain Scratch to them, try to explain what coding is. That'll sound confusing to them, but when I first started Scratch, I was under the intention that every single programming language used blocks. Then, I went to try out a new one, and was like, “where are all the cool, new, advanced blocks?” Then it came to me: “besides Scratch, programming is typing in codes”. Tell them that so they understand what is so special about Scratch. Anyways, welcome to Scratch

But then again, coding may sound confusing to them…

vladmirfox

turkey3 wrote:
I have some advice. Before you explain Scratch to them, try to explain what coding is. That'll sound confusing to them, but when I first started Scratch, I was under the intention that every single programming language used blocks. Then, I went to try out a new one, and was like, “where are all the cool, new, advanced blocks?” Then it came to me: “besides Scratch, programming is typing in codes”. Tell them that so they understand what is so special about Scratch. Anyways, welcome to Scratch

But then again, coding may sound confusing to them…

Thank you for the advice. Are there and reference guides/sheets of some kind with simple projects for them to try either with my help or on there own? ( things like the classic “Hello World.” code or basic integer mathematics for example.)

P.S. both me and my siblings thank you for the help you are giving us.

turkey3

vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
I have some advice. Before you explain Scratch to them, try to explain what coding is. That'll sound confusing to them, but when I first started Scratch, I was under the intention that every single programming language used blocks. Then, I went to try out a new one, and was like, “where are all the cool, new, advanced blocks?” Then it came to me: “besides Scratch, programming is typing in codes”. Tell them that so they understand what is so special about Scratch. Anyways, welcome to Scratch

But then again, coding may sound confusing to them…
Thank you for the advice. Are there and reference guides/sheets of some kind with simple projects for them to try either with my help or on there own? ( things like the classic “Hello World.” code or basic integer mathematics for example.)

P.S. both me and my siblings thank you for the help you are giving us.

Well, the “Hello World!” thing is more for a text programming language, even though it can be done in Scratch. Scratch is more about graphical, colorful projects. It might bore the kids possibly to see “Hello World” in my opinion. I made a tutorial here that can help, and also, are you using Scratch 1.4 or 2.0? But anyways, instead of focusing on more of text inputs, like “Hello World”, what kids love are games, and it would probably be exciting to experiment making a game with them (which I'm always open to help).

If you're using Scratch 1.4, it comes with some default projects that can help to look at. But what would be great to start with is showing them how to move the default Scratch Cat sprite with the arrow keys.

And you're welcome

And if you choose to do the “Hello World”, in the Looks category is a “say” block where a sprite can say a string (or text).

Last edited by turkey3 (Aug. 7, 2013 01:47:21)

turkey3

It's also helpful to view how other's projects were made by clicking “See Inside” on the project page. That way you can see what scripting techniques they used

Oh! And I forgot! The Scratch Wiki is the most resourceful site on Scratch. It has descriptions of every block, tutorials, and more! I'm actually a wiki editor

Last edited by turkey3 (Aug. 7, 2013 01:49:53)

vladmirfox

I am using Scratch 1.4 atm and I mainly said “Hello World.” because eh out of all the languages I've learned they each open up by teaching you how to output text onto the screen. Also again thank you for your help with all of this.

vladmirfox

Also I found this book here on Scratch programming: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-scratch-programming-adventure-the-lead-project/1111576393?ean=9781593274092 do you think it is worth getting?

-_- i can't get the link tags to work I feel stupid.

Last edited by vladmirfox (Aug. 7, 2013 01:57:56)

turkey3

vladmirfox wrote:
Also I found this book here on Scratch programming: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-scratch-programming-adventure-the-lead-project/1111576393?ean=9781593274092 do you think it is worth getting?

It is a common, pretty well-known book. I've personally never read it, so you'd probably have to ask someone else about how well it teaches. Or maybe check out the reviews (if there are any). In a little bit I'll compile a list of all the Scratch resources (I just need to fetch my sources).
Also, just for the info, instead of

[link][/link]

It's

[url][/url]

Last edited by turkey3 (Aug. 7, 2013 01:59:58)

vladmirfox

turkey3 wrote:
vladmirfox wrote:
Also I found this book here on Scratch programming: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/super-scratch-programming-adventure-the-lead-project/1111576393?ean=9781593274092 do you think it is worth getting?
It is a common, pretty well-known book. I've personally never read it, so you'd probably have to ask someone else about how well it teaches.
Also, just for the info, instead of
[link][/link]
It's
[url][/url]

Thanks for the info and I checked out your tutorial am going to show it to my siblings later once I myself am familiar with Scratch.

turkey3

Here are some helpful resources to learning Scratch.
Scratch Wki
Questions About Scratch forum
Help With Scripts forum
Scratch Resources- site with downloadable sprites, sounds, and more for Scratch

Last edited by turkey3 (Aug. 7, 2013 02:05:09)

vladmirfox

turkey3 wrote:
Here are some helpful resources to learning Scratch.
Scratch Wki
Questions About Scratch forum
Help With Scripts forum
Scratch Resources- site with downloadable sprites, sounds, and more for Scratch

Thank you very much and if you ever need help with anything programming-wise be it Scratch or some other language I'll do my best to help you.

turkey3

vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
Here are some helpful resources to learning Scratch.
Scratch Wki
Questions About Scratch forum
Help With Scripts forum
Scratch Resources- site with downloadable sprites, sounds, and more for Scratch
Thank you very much and if you ever need help with anything programming-wise be it Scratch or some other language I'll do my best to help you.

Your welcome! Glad I could help

and also, if you want to take Scratch in the future into modification, you can program in Squeak and modify Scratch but don't do it now because one little mistake, and you have to uninstall and reinstall Scratch. But the hint is shift-clicking the “R” in the Scratch logo in the top-left of the program.

vladmirfox

turkey3 wrote:
vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
Here are some helpful resources to learning Scratch.
Scratch Wki
Questions About Scratch forum
Help With Scripts forum
Scratch Resources- site with downloadable sprites, sounds, and more for Scratch
Thank you very much and if you ever need help with anything programming-wise be it Scratch or some other language I'll do my best to help you.
Your welcome! Glad I could help and also, if you want to take Scratch in the future into modification, you can program in Squeak and modify Scratch but don't do it now because one little mistake, and you have to uninstall and reinstall Scratch. But the hint is shift-clicking the “R” in the Scratch logo in the top-left of the program.

Could I use a VM (Virtual Machine) and install Scratch on that so that I don't mess up my current install if I choose to make custom stuff for Scratch?

turkey3

vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
Here are some helpful resources to learning Scratch.
Scratch Wki
Questions About Scratch forum
Help With Scripts forum
Scratch Resources- site with downloadable sprites, sounds, and more for Scratch
Thank you very much and if you ever need help with anything programming-wise be it Scratch or some other language I'll do my best to help you.
Your welcome! Glad I could help and also, if you want to take Scratch in the future into modification, you can program in Squeak and modify Scratch but don't do it now because one little mistake, and you have to uninstall and reinstall Scratch. But the hint is shift-clicking the “R” in the Scratch logo in the top-left of the program.
Could I use a VM (Virtual Machine) and install Scratch on that so that I don't mess up my current install if I choose to make custom stuff for Scratch?

Yeah, you can save the installer to a USB Drive and just transfer the files back to the computer and install Scratch (or just go back to the website and download it). You're projects won't be ruined, just the Scratch program will be messed up (I'm not sure why, I never modded 1.4, and now I just use 2.0).

vladmirfox

turkey3 wrote:
–snip–

Are there any pros/cons when it comes to using Scratch 2.0 vs 1.4?

turkey3

vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
–snip–
Are there any pros/cons when it comes to using Scratch 2.0 vs 1.4?

Well, Scratch 2.0 has this stuff that 1.4 doesn't

-cloning
-vector graphics and bitmap graphics
-custom blocks
-50mb maximum file size instead of 10mb
-more blocks in general
-runs on Flash instead of Squeak (HTML5 coming very soon)
-sound editor (Scratch 1.4 only can record sounds within, and the quality is very poor)
-just looks newer and modern (some people say 1.4 looks ancient )

If I think of anything else I'll post it here. And Scratch 2.0 is web-based (download coming soon) and can be accessed by clicking “Create” at the top of the website. As for 1.4 benefits, it does tend to lag less (but only on really large projects).

Last edited by turkey3 (Aug. 7, 2013 02:22:11)

vladmirfox

turkey3 wrote:
vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
–snip–
Are there any pros/cons when it comes to using Scratch 2.0 vs 1.4?
Well, Scratch 2.0 has this stuff that 1.4 doesn't
-cloning
-vector graphics and bitmap graphics
-custom blocks
-50mb maximum file size instead of 10mb
-more blocks in general
-runs on Flash instead of Squeak (HTML5 coming very soon)
-sound editor (Scratch 1.4 only can record sounds within, and the quality is very poor)
-just looks newer and modern (some people say 1.4 looks ancient )
If I think of anything else I'll post it here. And Scratch 2.0 is web-based (download coming soon) and can be accessed by clicking “Create” at the top of the website. As for 1.4 benefits, it does tend to lag less (but only on really large projects).

So is 2.0 cloud based? (seems like it but just checking.)

turkey3

vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
vladmirfox wrote:
turkey3 wrote:
–snip–
Are there any pros/cons when it comes to using Scratch 2.0 vs 1.4?
Well, Scratch 2.0 has this stuff that 1.4 doesn't
-cloning
-vector graphics and bitmap graphics
-custom blocks
-50mb maximum file size instead of 10mb
-more blocks in general
-runs on Flash instead of Squeak (HTML5 coming very soon)
-sound editor (Scratch 1.4 only can record sounds within, and the quality is very poor)
-just looks newer and modern (some people say 1.4 looks ancient )
If I think of anything else I'll post it here. And Scratch 2.0 is web-based (download coming soon) and can be accessed by clicking “Create” at the top of the website. As for 1.4 benefits, it does tend to lag less (but only on really large projects).
So is 2.0 cloud based? (seems like it but just checking.)

Speaking of clouds, you reminded me that it has cloud variables, which are stored on the server. But those are only important really for shared projects. But yes, Scratch 2.0 is I guess cloud-based, but the downloadable version is coming before the end of summer. Also, 1.4 projects can be read in 2.0, but not the other way around.

vladmirfox

Now you've made me want to try a collaborated project or something cloud vars seem really useful. (fun fact: I wish Java had something like cloud vars… would save so much time when having multiple people working on same projects.)

turkey3

vladmirfox wrote:
Now you've made me want to try a collaborated project or something cloud vars seem really useful. (fun fact: I wish Java had something like cloud vars… would save so much time when having multiple people working on same projects.)

I think you maybe misinterpreted. Well, you can do a collaboration, but more than one person can't work on the same project at the same time. You can combine projects by moving stuff over from one to the other, but not work on them at the same time. Cloud variables just change for everybody, probably the wiki page Cloud Variables can give a good description. And also, all the Scratch projects made in 2.0 are saved onto the server (when logged in).

2.0 is on the web but doesn't allow real-time collaborations sorting on the same project.

Oh, and also, cloud lists are coming soon

Last edited by turkey3 (Aug. 7, 2013 02:56:56)

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