Scratch: An On-Ramp to Programming

Learning to program computers in the traditional sense has many pitfalls that are barriers for newcomers. The future job market for programmers is bright and kids should be taught to control technology rather than only consuming it.

John talks about Scratch (http://scratch.mit.edu), the visual programming language from MIT, and how he thinks it's the best "first" programming language for the next generation of developers. Scratch hits the sweet spot to overcoming introductory pitfalls and provides a safe environment for kids to learn, explore and share their digital creations.

Transcript

1. An on-ramp to programming
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF7EpEnglgk I opened by showing the below video. Watch before continuing.
3. • Programming is a necessary skill • So you want to learn to program? • MIT Scratch • Why Scratch? • How can you help?
4. Programming is! a necessary skill
5. How is the demand for programming growing?
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012) Occupation 2012 2022 Growth Software developers, applications 613,000 752,900 22.8% Occupations with the most job growth,! 2012 and projected 2022 http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_104.htm
7. Why is this demand here to stay?
8. The forever recession
 (and the coming revolution) When everyone has a laptop! and connection to the world,! then everyone owns a factory. Seth Godin, Sept 2011 http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/09/the-forever-recession.html
9. HUMANS NEED NOT APPLY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pq-S557XQU
10. HUMANS NEED NOT APPLY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pq-S557XQU ECONOMICS ALWAYS WINS
11. HUMANS NEED NOT APPLY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pq-S557XQU ECONOMICS ALWAYS WINS AUTOMATION ISN’T BAD
12. HUMANS NEED NOT APPLY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pq-S557XQU ECONOMICS ALWAYS WINS AUTOMATION ISN’T BAD IT’S INEVITABLE
13. Robots, JavaScript, and Drones:
 Welcome to the Hardware Revolution Julia Grace, July 2014
15. http://www.control4.com/blog/2014/03/the-internet-of-things-and-the-connected-home
16. SOFTWARE
 IS EATING
 THE WORLD Marc Andreessen
17. So you want to! learn to program
18. Stages of Learning to Program
19. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal
20. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax
21. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning
22. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms
23. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program
24. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program 6. Hey I made this thing!
25. How did I
 become interested
 in programming?
26. Stages of Learning to Program
27. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal
28. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax
29. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning
30. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms
31. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program
32. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program 6. Hey I made this thing!
33. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program 6. Hey I made this thing! Find the hidden Triforce
34. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program 6. Hey I made this thing! Find the hidden Triforce Hours on my computer
35. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program 6. Hey I made this thing! Find the hidden Triforce Hours on my computer 0x8111A834 == 30FF
36. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program 6. Hey I made this thing! Find the hidden Triforce Hours on my computer 0x8111A834 == 30FF GeoCities HTML
37. Stages of Learning to Program 1. Desire and goal 2. Typing accuracy and syntax 3. Values have meaning 4. Language and platform idioms 5. Running the program 6. Hey I made this thing! Find the hidden Triforce Hours on my computer 0x8111A834 == 30FF GeoCities HTML F5 F5 F5 F5 F5 F5
39. Learn programming today?
46. Challenges learning to! program in 2014
47. The state of programming is currently shackled to its previous success
48. The current generation is inundated with visuals
49. War of Attention
50. It's too easy to CONSUME instead of create
51. Popular programs are not open-source
53. People get bored easily
55. • January 2007 • National Science Foundation grant,
 Lifelong Kindergarten group @ MIT • Designed for 8-16 year olds • Think creatively, work collaboratively and reason systematically
58. • Games • Animated Music Videos (AMVs) • Cartoons • Drawing contests
59. 12 @ 375,000
61. Why Scratch?
62. The state of programming is currently shackled to its previous success Scratch is fun and! gets you started right away
63. The current generation is inundated with visuals Scratch is a! visual! programming ! language
64. War of Attention Scratch is online! and on the devices! kids care about
65. Popular programs are not open-source Open-Source is built! into the Scratch ecosystem
66. People get bored easily Scratch has an! ultra-fast feedback cycle
67. How can you help?
68. Learn Scratch http://scratch.mit.edu/ Offline Editor http://scratch.mit.edu/scratch2download/ Online Editor http://www.scratchjr.org/ iPad App
69. Teach Scratch For Educators http://scratch.mit.edu/educators/ http://coderdojokc.com/
70. Building Something! ! Teach Someone
71. John Kary @johnkary http://johnkary.net/talks Questions?