ScratchJr demo: a coding language for kindergarten

This paper describes the ScratchJr research project, a collaboration between Tufts University’s Developmental Technologies Research Group, MIT’s Lifelong Kindergarten Group, and the Playful Invention Company. Over the past five years, dozens of ScratchJr prototypes have been designed and studied with over 300 K-2nd grade students, teachers and parents. ScratchJr allows children ages 5 to 7 years to explore concepts of computer programming and digital content creation in a safe and fun environment. This paper describes the progression of major prototypes leading to the current public version, as well as the educational resources developed for use with ScratchJr. Future directions and educational implications are also discussed. Categories and Subject Descriptors D.2.2 [Software Engineering]: Design tools and techniques – evolutionary prototyping, user-centered design, D.2.6 [Software Engineering]: Programming Environments – graphical environments, K.3.2 [Computer and Informatio...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2015
• Where: ACMIDC
• Authors: Amanda Strawhacker, Melissa Lee, Claire Caine, Marina Umaschi Bers
• Keywords: ACMIDC 2015, Human Computer Interaction