Scratch on IPad

I just got a new IPad Air 2.  I really like it!  I have the first generation but that was so heavy.  I may as well carry a laptop.  Then my division gave each of the ITRTs an IPad mini.  It was too small.  I had a hard time reading on it so most of the time it stayed on my desk at home.  The IPad Air 2 may be just right!  

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My last post was about Scratch, a coding program from MIT.  Coding is the new literacy!  I truly feel we are doing our students a huge injustice not focusing more on this skill.  Instead we are obligated to teach to a plethora of standardized tests.  

Since getting the IPad I have discovered a couple of Scratch programs that were designed for mobile use.  One is called Scratch Jr.  

I have been playing with this program today and really like it!  I have already suggested it to a SPED teacher who had a student very interested in coding.  The program is so engaging for younger students!  It uses a drag and drop interface just like its big Web brother.  Students learn the basics of coding by making simple stories.  The biggest issue that I can find with Scratch Junior is that there is no way for the students to share their work with others besides handing over their IPads.  i did manage to capture a story that a second grader and I did together by using my cell phone to video the story.  This means it isn't the best quality but it would do in a pinch.  Maybe in the future Scratch Junior will do an update that will allow sharing.  Hey, even the youngest of storytellers wants an audience!