About
For fun, I grow pigs, raise honeybees, fish, and spend time with my family.
For more information about me, visit my main site at badgerfiles.com.
We’re All Teachers
I applaud those who dedicate their time and energy to teach our youth. You won’t find me in front of a middle school or high school classroom; however, I’m a teach the teacher kind of guy. I’ve been teaching technical topics to adults for the bulk of my professional career and demonstrating the capabilities of Scratch to you fits me well.
Why did I write the book?
The Packt editors kept pestering me to write another title. Ok, maybe they didn’t pester, but it’s my story. I kept telling them I want to write about Dokuwiki. They kept telling me no. Then David Barnes came looking for somebody to write a Scratch beginner’s guide.
The beginner’s guide is a new Packt series, and I took him up on the offer to write the book for two main reasons. One, I can never resist being a part of something new. Two, and more importantly, I was addicted to Scratch from the time I installed the software.
I immediately saw the opportunities to get young people involved in computer science. I wish I had something similar when I was younger. In a weird way, Scratch is like math class.
You know math is useful for multiple things beyond being able to calculate the amount to tip your waiter. However, the textbook / lecture interface to math is boring and turns kids out – at least it did me. Who wants to solve quadratic equations when the sun is shining?
Likewise, when you look at Scratch, you know it’s good for you. But the color-coded blocks and the dancing trolls suck you in. The interface is fun and engaging, and kids will want to tinker. And darn it, they’ll learn something in the process.
I often think about what opportunities my own son will have to learn and develop; Scratch is a perfect tool for him. He’s just a bit too young to know it yet.
