Scratch Times Table Game in Design
The Grade 5s were tasked with designing a Times Table multiplication game within the Scratch online coding platform. Guided by the principles of the Design Thinking cycle, they first established who their target audience was. They embraced the role of inquirers and investigated the elements that constituted a good online game and kept these in mind during the design process. Every element of their game underwent rigorous testing before they shared their game with their peers in a Class Studio. Following a discussion on what constituted constructive feedback, the students were invited to play each others’ games and provide feedback on their experience of the game. This process resulted in the students receiving valuable, authentic feedback from their intended audience. This served as a priceless resource which they could then use to improve their game. Notably, the students graciously embraced this feedback, recognizing its significance, as it was provided by their intended audience and not typically by teachers. While coding their games, the students learnt more about key programming concepts, including algorithms, variables, conditional statements, iterations and Boolean operators as well as practising their Times Table skills.
As part of the reflective process, students were encouraged to reflect on their experience of creating this game and it was rewarding to witness them pinpoint areas where they felt the need for further development and also recognize the skills in which they excelled.
