Hosted by Minitex Reference Services

8:30 AM – 11:00 AM (CST)

Providing kids opportunities to learn, stretch and grow is a key focus of libraries. Whether they are developing a love of books and reading, learning to conduct better research or working on creative projects, kids in 21st century libraries are supported in developing a lifelong love of learning and developing key literacy skills that will lead them to successful engagement in life as adults.

Scratch, a free software tool developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, is an increasingly popular tool that allows libraries to offer relevant, technology-based and creative programs for kids aged 8 and up. Scratch is rich media content creation software that can be used to create animation and game projects that incorporate music, sound, original art, digital photographs and more. Visit the Scratch website for more background: http://scratch.mit.edu/.

Participants in this workshop will develop an understanding of the literacy skills youth gain from participation in Scratch-based workshops and receive a hands-on opportunity to learn and use Scratch software and to explore Scratch’s online community. The workshop format models effective techniques for engaging and teaching project development with Scratch to youth. At the end of the workshops participants will have become members of the online Scratch community, developed a project using Scratch and posted a project to the Scratch social networking site.

Guest Presenters: Jennifer Nelson, Senior Librarian, Hennepin County Library and Keith Braafladt, Director, Learning Technologies Center, Science Museum of Minnesota

Location: Wilson Library, U of MN West Bank Campus

Who should attend?: This session is intended for media specialists, youth services librarians, or any other library staff who work with young people and want to learn more about using Scratch.

https://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/t...erence.asp#254