Learning Theory Description and Rationale
Our resource is based on constructivism. This means we want to let learners be free to create anything they would like within Scratch, continuously evolving their ideas as they create. When it comes to programming creative freedom is extremely important, to succeed in the world of software you need to be bold and innovative. Scratch lets students do that perfectly without needing the technical skills that a developer would have.
Learning Design Description and Rationale
Experiential learning is a learning process where students can take more ownership over their learning and do it in a more hands-on way, they can also reflect throughout the experience. Kolb’s cycle has four stages to break down the rotation of exponential learning. There is a stage of concrete experience where one is doing or having an experience (Kolb, 1984). After this stage, there is reflection and observation where the individual reviews what they have done in the experience (Kolb, 1984). Next comes the abstract conceptualization, this is when one can learn and create new ideas from their experience (Kolb, 1984). Following abstract conceptualization is active experimentation, in this stage, new ideas can be tested, and individuals can use what they have learned so far (Kolb, 1984). The cycle then repeats by going back to engaging directly in an experience, then reflecting, followed by learning, resulting again in an experimentation stage. The cycle just continues to repeat itself as the learner continues growing their knowledge. In experiential learning students are guiding their learning as they are the ones taking initiative, this means they are responsible for the outcome and there is much to learn from both their success and ideas that do not have the predicted outcome.
Experiential learning aligns with our method. Our pod is using Scratch, which uses hands-on learning that is trial, and error based. This relates to Kolb’s cycle in that learners have the experience of trying a possible combination, reflecting on the outcome, learning what may or may not work, creating a plan with the knowledge they just learned, and then they can try again.
Learning Context Description
The group of people that this learning resource is directed to is high school students or adults however, there is no age restriction or requirement. The website itself is very user friendly and straightforward. Very young children may not be able to create games however, anyone can play them. Scratch is especially appealing because it uses lots of colours and animations to incorporate engaging visuals. The games are all about trying different combinations and experimenting so children of all ages can play.