Scratch Project- By Kate

This week we played on scratch together as a family. But, tonight, I created something that was inspired by a couple of Scratch pieces on the gallery - The stick person represents our daughter, Samantha, who introduces our family via a slideshow - with her request, we added bits of music, recorded voices, and hid pictures - although not very complicated, it still took a while to figure out the order of the commands. Sam wanted to do a Mad Lib (like seen in the examples) but I was already half-way completed with this. Perhaps a Mad Lib is line this week!

PS> I can't figure out why this keeps playing (even though I haven't pressed the green flag) anyone know why?

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When I think about “What’s new about new media?” I think of all the powerful ideas being found through playful learning that we don't always appreciate! I think when kids are given the time to explore and delve into projects then their learning is being celebrated and acknowledged. Just as Resnick said this week: "We need to provide people with new models for thinking about the process of learning. They need to see learning as a process of designing, creating, experimenting, and exploring – not a process of receiving or acquiring information." His definition of play says it all, "play is a process of experimenting, trying new things, testing the boundaries, exploring what’s possible. Play does not need to be associated with toys and games. It’s an attitude, an approach, a style of engagement." That definition - should be the definition we should carry over into our work - too!

These two quotes are at the center of what I think is "new" about 'new media' - - It is an attitude when a teacher or parent is open to these new models for thinking. When a child wants to figure out how to build a house/castle in minecraft - it is an approach when a child utilizes the Internet to research how to build that castle, and it is certainly engaging to that child. And if the castle does not work out - then one might say the experiment had a hiccup and it is back to the drawing board. Resnick makes the point that one should test the boundaries - when learning - so shouldn't parents and teachers - open their minds to the possibilities! I feel that sometimes we tell kids NOT to test the boundaries - "listen to us we will tell you how to do it." This reminds me of Harold and the Purple Crayon - he created his own world, right? And we celebrate this book - but we do not actually celebrate this sort of learning. What's new about new media? I think what's new is that we are becoming more aware of the exploration, the "new" models of learning/thinking, and the discoveries within new media - rather than dismissing it - I think there is a larger percentage of people now that are more aware/accepting than there use to be. . . .

Playing with Scratch was a new model for thinking! The entire process reminded me of Papert's work and Resnick's playful learning - because I have to admit, I was playing - even though it was 'hard work' - it was still enjoyable, experimental, and definitely engaging - it kept my attention. It is also a safe environment to make mistakes and to start again. Scratch has the capability to engage learners in all areas: reading, math, science, social studies, etc. - it is a powerful tool - who knows what someone may invent by using this tool - all the possibilities - that's a powerful idea right there!