Dear Jesus,
My name is Ramsey Musallam, and I have designed the workshop you will be leading on July 9-10. Below you will find resources to ensure your facilitation is both smooth and well-informed. You will also find a copy of this email in the 'Materials' section of the workshop curriculum. Please confirm your readiness by replying to all on this email thread by July 2 after reviewing the provided information. Feel free to ask any questions or share concerns you might have.
Workshop Link: Please project the complete URL for students to type in: https://wovenlearning.org/workshop-menu/texarkana/
Workshop Overview:
Day 1: Game Design
- Summary: Focus on game design fundamentals with Scratch, including sprite creation, movement, and basic coding principles. Students will learn the basics of game design using Scratch, including creating characters, backdrops, and simple animations.
- Common Pitfalls: Ensure students create an account and verify their email address to acquire public links. Issues with logging in and sharing projects can often be resolved by verifying the email. Difficulty in sprite manipulation and coding errors. Encourage step-by-step troubleshooting and peer support.
Day 2: Game Control
- Summary: Emphasis on integrating MakeyMakey with Scratch projects to create interactive games. Students will learn to use MakeyMakey to control their Scratch games, exploring the principles of circuit connections and interactive design. They will prototype and test their designs.
- Common Pitfalls: If students are not able to control the game, unplug and replug the device until it is recognized as an external keyboard. Watch for tangled wires and ensure a circuit is connected from "Earth" to a button. Note that "Earth" is the term used instead of "ground" on MakeyMakey. Connection issues with MakeyMakey, such as recognizing the device and ensuring proper circuit connections.
For non-urgent inquiries, please email me directly at ramsey@wovenlearning.org. I will reply within 24 hours. For urgent or time-sensitive inquiries, please call or text me at (415) 260-2581, and I will provide support as soon as possible.
I look forward to our collaboration and hope you find the experience enjoyable and rewarding.
Best regards,
Ramsey Musallam