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Scratch at Duke University TIP, a gifted program

On February 27th, 2010, I led a whole day game making class for Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP). We started from free exploration, and I absolutely love how Scratch supports messing around and trying things without any formal introductions and tutorials and minimal help. We then proceeded to have a class structured much like some RPGs, with common "checkpoints" for targeted ideas or tools, and free building in-between.

 

Programming checkpoints:

- Make your character move

- Make your characters say things

- Save your game locally

- Collision events

- Share your game with the community

- Make an "npc" move randomly or chase your character

- Character appearance changing on game events (e.g. being caught by the npc)

- Reset button

- Shooting a gun

- "Game over" screen

 

General discussion checkpoints

- Our favorite games and their key design elements

- Definition of a "computer game"

- Why it is OK to take and remix other projects from the Scratch site: the Open Source idea

 

Our project gallery is here. We had very good vibes in the group, and following links tells me many kids did continue to use Scratch at home, just like they said in class. I am quite happy with the activity overall.

Comments
Karen Brennan
Member

Hi Maria,

Thanks for sharing your approach to game creation with Scratch. What examples (if any) did you show them? What key characteristics or elements of games did the group identify?

Thanks!

Ai Boon Tan
Member

Thanks for sharing.