Scratch

ashbyr1 wrote:

Critique Groups
The worst feeling in the world is to pour your hard work and creativity into a project only to have it ignored completely by the Scratch community.   The problem is not that the Scratch community doesn’t care.  In fact this is one of the most vibrant and positive communities I’ve seen online.  The problem is that we are all overwhelmed with the number of new projects.

Joining a small critique group (5-7 members) will give you valuable feedback on your projects.  Members of your group can highlight what is great about your project and suggest ways to improve it. In addition, the act of critiquing other peoples work can be one of the most powerful ways to punch your own skills to the next level. 

If you are new to Scratch, look through the list of open groups below.
1. Find a group that feels like a good fit and is currently accepting members. 
2. Bookmark the gallery.
3. Introduce yourself with comment to the group's gallery.
3. Offer a critique of at least one project. Critique Guidelines

If you are extremely committed to the Scratch community, you might want to start your own critique group.  First, set up a gallery to host your group. I suggest posting an introduction project like this example. Then post a description of your group in this forum.  Explain how big you want your group to be, the initial focus/genre of the group, the minimum skills a new member should have, and the expectations of group members.  For example, how often are members allowed to submit projects for feedback?  Do all members have to respond to every submission? Or do you want to establish a ratio of 3 meaningful comments for every project submitted for feedback?  How do you define meaningful comments? 

There are many ways to structure a successful critique group.  They key is to be flexible and supportive of your members.  A good group will evolve its own system over time.  To learn more about how to build your group, take a look at the Group Leaders Discussion.

(To add members to your group use the menu on the right side of your gallery page click on the button: change who can add projects. )

List of Critique Groups
(NEW!)focussed on feedback hosted by Colkadome
(NEW!)Scratcher's hosted by Dan01
(Full) Animation Group hosted by ashbyr1
Tutorial Critique Group hosted by joeyman
(Full) Challenge Group hosted by bigB
Beginning Game Design hosted by Bluestribute
Fairly Good Scratchers hosted by soccerisawsome
Great Games Guild hosted by Daniel_Krasnove
The Story Critique Group hosted by Jman720

spread the word with this sig tag:
Join a Critique Group for feedback on your projects.

Code:

Join a [url=http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=7317]Critique Group[/url] for feedback on your projects.

wow you wrote alot. but i aggree with everything! ill join!
____________________________________________________
my i-spy http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/bosox397/172528

I just wanted to thank Lanie for featuring the Critique Group movement in the latest edition of her zine.
It's an excellent publication.  If you haven't seen it yet please take a look at all the issues.

ashbyr1 wrote:

I just wanted to thank Lanie for featuring the Critique Group movement in the latest edition of her zine.
It's an excellent publication.  If you haven't seen it yet please take a look at all the issues.

Thanks and I Would like to start a critique group called Publishing Periodicals

Gallery: http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24779

Can i start a critique group? I want it to be a scroller and racing game group! Please? Please? I'm making the gallery in a couple of minutes... (kidding) but seriously i would make the topic

joeisawesome wrote:

Here's the link

http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24920

Welcome to the party!  Remember to  check out the forum topic for group leaders and let us know how things are going.

http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=7907

My NEW Ultimate Feedback Critique Group! 

I just wanted to share some of awesome critiques from our groups.  Use these as examples if you are new to writing critiques. 

Bobby500 wrote:

I added two projects and critiqued whack a mole. Here is what I said- Try adding a score count to it as that will make it more fun to whack more than a few moles. Also try to make it so that you can't hold the hammer down for infinity and have it whack every single mole you touch. I like the idea and think that it can develop into a good game. One more thing though. Try to make that music section a little less repetative as it was really annoying. 6/10.

the_guardian wrote:

Bomb Squad: This is a nerve wracking game (in a good way). The timer counting down, mocking me while I frantically push butttons! Good job. I would add some kind of sound effect or maybe flashing buttons when the combination is hit. This would serve as positive reinforcement that the combination was found, and give a slight pause before it starts the next level.

fullmoon wrote:

And while I'm here, Cyclone103's Helicopter 2. It's a great little sim, and like bigB's 3D Space Flyer, is really to be delevoped into an awesome game! Really smooth directional movement makes it fun, but the first thing you should add is some 4-directional scrolling sky to let people know they're moving. Deserves an 8/10 for what it's meant to be: a fun little demo.

mletreat wrote:

Here's my critique: This tutorial does a good job of demonstrating the rotate block. Using the turn arrow sprites helps visualize the blocks while you see the rotation happening on the cat. I felt distracted by the cat on the skateboard (though you could create a separate tutorial about that) because it doesn't seem related to rotating. Also, in your project notes, you might want to encourage people to download the code to see the "guts" of the project, this will help them learn.

mletreat wrote:

How does everyone feel the critique groups are going?  It would be great to share your experiences with others who might be interested in setting up a critique group

What works well? What not so well?
Any frustrations? Difficulties?
Any happy surprises?
What advice would you offer others who want to join or start a group?

Mine has kinda demolished… no one critiques anymore. I think it's my fault though, not setting the expectations early enough. I think if anyone wants to make one, give the ground rules and expectations right away to everybody

ashbyr1 wrote:

Also, with the spam filters set as they are, it's incredibly hard to communicate with a group of people.  So keeping everyone motivated is a real challenge.

I found a way around this. Since loading Java makes my computer sow, I went to my gallery, and replied to 1 comment from each member something like "New challenge" or "Need a project idea? New challenge". It saves time, and you can see how to make each notification different because they are right there in front of you

no one goes to my critique group... i even have it in my sig... Can some of you guys check it out?

i made a critique group if you want to add it here.   http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/26981

bendad wrote:

I Feel Like Making One, I Think I Will.
I Will Post The Link Soon

Sounds good - what type of Critique Group are you planning?  What kind of feedback will you be asking for?  There are others who have created critique groups who might have advice for you that would help you get started.  Here is a list of some other critique groups and their leaders:

(NEW!)The Critique Group for Begginers hosted by thelasthorizon
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/26981
(NEW!)Publishing Periodicals hosted by Lanie
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24779
(NEW!)Racers and Scrollers Hosted by joeisawesome http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24920
(NEW!)Ultimate Feedback hosted by joeyman
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24926
focussed on feedback hosted by Colkadome
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24568
Scratcher's hosted by Dan01
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24528
Tutorial Critique Group hosted by joeyman
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24147
(Full) Challenge Group hosted by bigB
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/23951
Beginning Game Design hosted by Bluestribute
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/23844
The Group for Everyone hosted by soccerisawsome
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24237
Great Games Guild hosted by Daniel_Krasnove
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24292
Critters Café hosted by ashbr1
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/23836

Could I get a link to the begginer's Critique Group. Thanks.