The next stop on my list of ways to jazz up our learning this year is at the Stencyl Game Studio. Stencyl allows users to create their own games, playable on iOS, Android, and Flash without coding (although you can write your own code if you wish). Character behaviors are customizable using building blocks similar to those used in Scratch. The freely downloadable program comes complete with resources for creating countless games, and also allows users to import their own resources to create truly unique games. The Crash Course game and tutorial has you making your first game in minutes. There is also an extensive "Stencylpedia" available to answer any questions you may have. Once you have made your amazing new game, you can make it available in the App Store or Google Play Store. You can also display the game on your website or blog. BLiP is just one of many games available in the App Store created using Stencyl. Of course, if you want you can simply play the game on your computer as well. What will you and your children create?
Karissa
Most kids aren't too excited to get back to school. While they may have a favorite subject or two, there are plenty of other less well liked subjects to curb their enthusiasm. Whether your children attend a traditional public school, are unschooled, or fall somewhere in between, adding something truly fun to their school year can work miracles in terms of keeping up their morale. I have found several ideas for adding some fun education this year that I will be revealing in upcoming Mid-week Morsels . The first is Scratch. What is Scratch? Their website explains it best..."Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world. As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab." Scratch is a great free way to introduce your children to the world of programming. My next idea will be introduced in the August 27th Mid-week Morsel.
Karissa
