Scratch

Smadar · 2012-10-13 18:14:30

Hi, I'm new to this forum, so I don't know if anyone ever brought this up, but I think scratch can (and should) be adjusted to be more suitable for children with special needs.
I'm studying to be a teacher for children with special needs, and there are two main things that I can think of:

1. language - scratch has been translated to many languages, but sometimes children with special needs can't read (due to severe learning disabilities) or don't use words at all (due to autism), while their logic is average or above. I believe those kids could enjoy scratch if there was a version with symbols instead of written words.

2. motor skills - I've worked with physically handicapped children, often they can use their arms and hands to some extent, and they use computers, but their arms can be shaky and unstable. Even when I use scratch,sometimes I place a block not where I intended it, because it's very sensitive. If there was a version that somehow required less precision of movement, it could open scratch to these children as well.

I'm a programmer myself, I've worked for 7 years mainly in Java but some other languages as well, and I'd be happy to take part in making these visions of mine come true.

joletole · 2012-10-13 18:18:03

Very interesting! I will have a look into that.

777w · 2012-10-13 18:18:26

a version of scratch involving symbols sounds cool

Mokat · 2012-10-13 18:20:11

Interesting idea, but it sounds cool. With the symbol version of scratch, i might be able to teach my little cousin about scratch, even though she can't read yet. Support.

ImagineIt · 2012-10-13 18:38:41

They're actually making a scratch Jr. which has symbols instead of words! By the way, I love special ed kids!

Wes64 · 2012-10-13 20:06:36

good ideas, but the options for the physically handicapped would probably require specialized hardware rather than changes to the program itself. I like the idea of a Scratch for those who cannot read though.

RedRocker227 · 2012-10-13 20:48:11

ImagineIt wrote:
They're actually making a scratch Jr. which has symbols instead of words! By the way, I love special ed kids!

You're the second person to mention this Scratch Jr., where exactly did the ST announce it

It'd be cool though

ImagineIt · 2012-10-13 22:26:31

RedRocker227 wrote:
ImagineIt wrote:
They're actually making a scratch Jr. which has symbols instead of words! By the way, I love special ed kids!
You're the second person to mention this Scratch Jr., where exactly did the ST announce it

It'd be cool though

http://ase.tufts.edu/DevTech/ScratchJr/ … JrHome.asp
http://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Scratch_Jr.

Last edited by ImagineIt (2012-10-13 22:28:02)

Smadar · 2012-10-14 14:09:24

Wes64 wrote:
good ideas, but the options for the physically handicapped would probably require specialized hardware rather than changes to the program itself. I like the idea of a Scratch for those who cannot read though.

I dont think thats true. The hardware solutions exist, and if a kid is already using the comupter he either has them or doesn't need them. However, alternative mouse (or regular mouse in shaky hands) isnt very accurate. If, for instance, the blocks were bigger, the difference between above, below and inside would be bigger, and require less motor accuracy.
That is only the simplest example of what can be done on the software level to make scratch acceessible to phisically handicapped children.

iTweak0r · 2012-10-15 10:55:04

Smadar wrote:
Wes64 wrote:
good ideas, but the options for the physically handicapped would probably require specialized hardware rather than changes to the program itself. I like the idea of a Scratch for those who cannot read though.
I dont think thats true. The hardware solutions exist, and if a kid is already using the comupter he either has them or doesn't need them. However, alternative mouse (or regular mouse in shaky hands) isnt very accurate. If, for instance, the blocks were bigger, the difference between above, below and inside would be bigger, and require less motor accuracy.
That is only the simplest example of what can be done on the software level to make scratch acceessible to phisically handicapped children.

or, if you click the block it directly glides to the scripting area, and if you click a reporter it will enlarge reporter slots and lets you click on them to put them in.

soniku3 · 2012-10-30 14:37:36

Smadar wrote:
Wes64 wrote:
good ideas, but the options for the physically handicapped would probably require specialized hardware rather than changes to the program itself. I like the idea of a Scratch for those who cannot read though.
I dont think thats true. The hardware solutions exist, and if a kid is already using the comupter he either has them or doesn't need them. However, alternative mouse (or regular mouse in shaky hands) isnt very accurate. If, for instance, the blocks were bigger, the difference between above, below and inside would be bigger, and require less motor accuracy.
That is only the simplest example of what can be done on the software level to make scratch acceessible to phisically handicapped children.

I think this is gonna be in Scratch JR. I dunno.

technoguyx · 2012-10-31 00:47:56

This all could be created as a mod somehow, or maybe from scratch as an alternative to the Scratch program we all know.

I'm picturing something with huge square blocks a la NXT-G and the symbols you all have mentioned. That should be fairly easy to use for small children and those with special needs - even more so with a touch screen.

I've never heard of this "Scratch Jr." - gotta look into that c:

Hediedforus · 2012-11-01 18:38:53

I have 2 siblings with special needs, so I support this VERY much! Fantastcial idea! :`)

Scratch

archived forums

#1 2012-10-13 18:14:30

Scratch for children with special needs

#2 2012-10-13 18:18:03

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

#3 2012-10-13 18:18:26

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

#4 2012-10-13 18:20:11

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

#5 2012-10-13 18:38:41

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

#6 2012-10-13 20:06:36

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

#7 2012-10-13 20:48:11

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

ImagineIt wrote:

#8 2012-10-13 22:26:31

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

RedRocker227 wrote:

ImagineIt wrote:

#9 2012-10-14 14:09:24

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

Wes64 wrote:

#10 2012-10-15 10:55:04

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

Smadar wrote:

Wes64 wrote:

#11 2012-10-30 14:37:36

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

Smadar wrote:

Wes64 wrote:

#12 2012-10-31 00:47:56

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

#13 2012-11-01 18:38:53

Re: Scratch for children with special needs

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