Computer Programming Students Start From Scratch

By Eliza Hallabeck

Students in Continuing Education’s Intro To Computer Programming program had been working for a short amount of time on Monday, but they had already started working on computer programs like mazes, skits, and games.

Tim McGuire, the instructor for the program and the computer technology teacher at Reed Intermediate School, said this is the first time he has used Scratch, a computer programming software that was designed to help learners develop the skills to create their own stories, animations, games, music, and art.

“It’s basically a software program that teaches kids to program computers,” said Mr McGuire. He also said the program is good for learners of all ages. Scratch was specifically designed for ages 8 and up, but, he said, it is fun for people who have little knowledge of programming computers.

He said this is the second week the program is running, and there are still open spots for the session next week.

“My belief is that [this program] will give the students better problem solving skills,” Mr McGuire said.

Kevin Finnegan, who is going into his fifth grade year at Reed this fall, said he liked learning with the Scratch program. He also said he found out about the class through a friend.

“I wanted to do it,” said Kevin. “It sounded cool.”

He said he is catching on with the program and said he could also download the program at home to work on projects.

“My friend bugged me and told me I had to do this,” said Adam Liseinsky, who is going to be a sixth grade student at Reed this fall.

Adam explained that he is making an interactive maze while using the Scratch program. One screen allows users to draw what they want, and another screen creates it, he said.

“You don’t have to buy it,” said Adam regarding why he likes to use Scratch. “You just download it and it is free.”

He said he likes to use computers in his spare time to use drawing programs and to play games.

Sarah Hoffkins, who is going into her first year at the Newtown Middle School this year, was working on creating a cartoon skit on Monday. The cat, she said, is feeling the effects of a sugar rush and throughout the skit she plans on making him run around while not knowing what he is doing. She plans on working on this one project for the entire week of the program.

“I’m probably going to add a lot more to it over the week,” said Sarah about the skit she was creating.

She said she was enjoying the program, and she also said she would do it again.

“My mom asked me if I wanted to join this group, and I said yes because I like computers,” Sarah said.

At home, she said, she normally listens to music videos on the computer.

“I’m working on a video game,” said Nick Lametto, who is entering his fourth grade year at Middle Gate School in the fall, “and I am working on an ocean animation too.”

Nick said he was enjoying using the program.

“I heard about it from my mom when she read about it in the paper,” said Nick.

The students were not the only ones creating working computer programs while using Scratch on Monday. Mr McGuire also used Scratch to set up a sample computer program to demonstrate to the students math skills and how to use different functions of Scratch.

“I’m not a programmer by trade,” he said. “So this was new to me, too.”