Type: Practitioner
Purpose: "In this paper, we describe a one-week summer computing workshop for teachers to improve computer science education in K-12. Our workshop focuses on using Scratch and Alice two programs used to make simple games and animations, to introduce computing concepts to teachers in computer, technology, math, and science at all K-12 levels to expose students to computing at an early age and to reach more students. During the workshop the teachers developed curriculum materials..." (p. 389). The workshop had six sessions.
Findings: "While the workshop as a whole was a success, there are always things that could be done to improve the experience and learning potential of the five day period allowed. A common complaint among the participants was the inability for them to work on their curriculum development projects at their place of residence during the week" (p. 392). "Another issue made known to us during the workshop was the vastly different style of the Alice sessions. While the Scratch sessions had been concept oriented, the Alice sessions were presented in a step-by-step fashion that chronicled the creation of a small game" (p. 393).
Recommendations: "At the end of the workshop, it was the general consensus among the participants that while Scratch and Alice are interesting and useful programs, they should not have both been presented in the same week" (p. 393).