NetScratch : a networked programming environment for children

Abstract

This thesis introduces NetScratch, a programming environment that enables children to make dynamic digital creations that interact across networks. The work is developed as an extension to Scratch, a multi-media programming environment designed for children to create interactive animations, art, games, and other dynamic creations. Particularly, NetScratch adds websensors, a tool to bring information from the web into a Scratch project, and shareable, a way to share information among projects. These features provide children with the tools to create their own web mashups, experiment with real-time changing data, and connect projects to each other. Using NetScratch, children can create personally meaningful networked projects, while learning important computational and design concepts. And, in designing these creations, children can think about how they want to interact across networks and how their creations affect their friends and communities.