My school has computers for everyone. They do not want you to play games or even download them. (Especially in class) Someone recently downloaded a game that caused a virus in all the computers. Because of what that person did, they banned every website that was a game. They banned everything except for the downloaded game that caused the virus. I asked if we could still go on Scratch because basically, it's not a game (DUH), it is a program from MIT, and that I learned more on engineering on Scratch more than I have in a science book. And then 2 days later they banned Scratch because they consider it “a game''. So I'm asking everyone who is reading this:
IS SCRATCH A GAME??? I've asked that question to many Scratchers and every one of them simply said ”No'' because they have learned more on coding and programming on Scratch, the end of the link to the website is .edu, and that they are doing what they want to be when they grow up.
So based on what I have said, YOU have to answer this one simple question:
Is Scratch A Game?

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Ban Scratch
define Ban Scratch
delete ( Scratch ) from [ Things That Aren't Banned From School ]
    
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No, it isn't. Also, Scratch is a relatively safe site, and probably isn't the source of the malware.

Imo your school's going a bit overboard (sorry); banning games since they might be distracting might make sense, but just because one game gave all the computers a virus doesn't mean all games are going to do the same. Also, a virus doesn't just have to be caused by downloading a game - it can be caused by a lot of other things too, such as sketchy ads. Idk, I'm not a teacher at your school. I guess they had their reasons.
As for Scratch, it isn't a game in itself, but people can make and games with it. But a .edu website made by MIT is safe, and projects on Scratch don't have the capability to do anything nasty to your computer… the worst it can do is temporarily crash Scratch/the browser if someone does something silly with the scripts, but that's unlikely to happen. I don't think it should get blocked, especially if you're learning with it.

No, it's not like . It's where you learn programming and have better success at future careers.

Prinseskat wrote:

Imo your school's going a bit overboard (sorry); banning games since they might be distracting might make sense, but just because one game gave all the computers a virus doesn't mean all games are going to do the same. Also, a virus doesn't just have to be caused by downloading a game - it can be caused by a lot of other things too, such as sketchy ads. Idk, I'm not a teacher at your school. I guess they had their reasons.
As for Scratch, it isn't a game in itself, but people can make and games with it. But a .edu website made by MIT is safe, and projects on Scratch don't have the capability to do anything nasty to your computer… the worst it can do is temporarily crash Scratch/the browser if someone does something silly with the scripts, but that's unlikely to happen. I don't think it should get blocked, especially if you're learning with it.

+1

Scratch isn't a game. That being said, I have a feeling that your school probably blocked Scratch on the basis that anyone could, theoretically, go to the Scratch site to play games instead of experiment with the Scratch program or tinker around with projects. It wouldn't be the first time we have seen this.

Maybe you could set up a compromise with the teacher in charge of the school network to have Scratch downloaded to the school computers? It would take out the “game” element while allowing access to Scratch.

Yeah. Now I can rarely listen to Scratch audio, because on my regular computer, it either makes no sound or it's so quiet I have to make the volume like 60%. Even then it's still super quiet! :I Scratch is NOT a game!

cheddargirl wrote:

Scratch isn't a game. That being said, I have a feeling that your school probably blocked Scratch on the basis that anyone could, theoretically, go to the Scratch site to play games instead of experiment with the Scratch program or tinker around with projects. It wouldn't be the first time we have seen this.

Maybe you could set up a compromise with the teacher in charge of the school network to have Scratch downloaded to the school computers? It would take out the “game” element while allowing access to Scratch.

Maybe when that class account program comes out, the teacher could opt out of allowing student accounts to access projects outside of the class's projects, unless the teacher specifically chooses those projects to be allowed (For use in lessons, likely).

cheddargirl wrote:

Scratch isn't a game. That being said, I have a feeling that your school probably blocked Scratch on the basis that anyone could, theoretically, go to the Scratch site to play games instead of experiment with the Scratch program or tinker around with projects. It wouldn't be the first time we have seen this.

Maybe you could set up a compromise with the teacher in charge of the school network to have Scratch downloaded to the school computers? It would take out the “game” element while allowing access to Scratch.

Sorry, Cheddargirl, I can't have them download Scratch if they still have it banned, though all I want to do is walk up to their faces and just show ‘em what Scratch really is and take the "we think it’s a game'' part out of it. But that's insubordination, I could get suspended, or even EXPELLED from school. That's all I want to do, nothing else.

Prinseskat wrote:

Imo your school's going a bit overboard (sorry); banning games since they might be distracting might make sense, but just because one game gave all the computers a virus doesn't mean all games are going to do the same. Also, a virus doesn't just have to be caused by downloading a game - it can be caused by a lot of other things too, such as sketchy ads. Idk, I'm not a teacher at your school. I guess they had their reasons.
As for Scratch, it isn't a game in itself, but people can make and games with it. But a .edu website made by MIT is safe, and projects on Scratch don't have the capability to do anything nasty to your computer… the worst it can do is temporarily crash Scratch/the browser if someone does something silly with the scripts, but that's unlikely to happen. I don't think it should get blocked, especially if you're learning with it.

I AGREE! Sigh….

Also keep in mind that the teacher who banned it might not have enough time or training to actually take care of the computer network in the way he would like to, so maybe he just took the easy option to protect the network.

Maybe you could prepare a little presentation at home to explain better what Scratch is about? Or look through the homepage for informational material tha you could give them, print it out at home and bring it to school.

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set (language) to [Gàidhlig]    
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It depends on the project. If they could ban subsections of the site (like particular projects and users), this might please them. And if they're worried about viruses, Scratch is completely kid-friendly, well moderated, and virus-free. I also think @cheddargirl's suggestion is great.

cheddargirl wrote:

Maybe you could set up a compromise with the teacher in charge of the school network to have Scratch downloaded to the school computers? It would take out the “game” element while allowing access to Scratch.

@GunChleoc's idea is great too.

GunChleoc wrote:

Maybe you could prepare a little presentation at home to explain better what Scratch is about? Or look through the homepage for informational material tha you could give them, print it out at home and bring it to school.

I think you should combine these suggestions: create a brief speech or presentation about why Scratch should be downloaded on the computers. Unless you have a chromebook, in which case, you'll have to try to get them to completely allow Scratch.

spazzylemons wrote:

It depends on the project. If they could ban subsections of the site (like particular projects and users), this might please them. And if they're worried about viruses, Scratch is completely kid-friendly, well moderated, and virus-free. I also think @cheddargirl's suggestion is great.

cheddargirl wrote:

Maybe you could set up a compromise with the teacher in charge of the school network to have Scratch downloaded to the school computers? It would take out the “game” element while allowing access to Scratch.

@GunChleoc's idea is great too.

GunChleoc wrote:

Maybe you could prepare a little presentation at home to explain better what Scratch is about? Or look through the homepage for informational material tha you could give them, print it out at home and bring it to school.

I think you should combine these suggestions: create a brief speech or presentation about why Scratch should be downloaded on the computers. Unless you have a chromebook, in which case, you'll have to try to get them to completely allow Scratch.

We do have Chromebooks.

LionHeart70 wrote:

spazzylemons wrote:

It depends on the project. If they could ban subsections of the site (like particular projects and users), this might please them. And if they're worried about viruses, Scratch is completely kid-friendly, well moderated, and virus-free. I also think @cheddargirl's suggestion is great.

cheddargirl wrote:

Maybe you could set up a compromise with the teacher in charge of the school network to have Scratch downloaded to the school computers? It would take out the “game” element while allowing access to Scratch.

@GunChleoc's idea is great too.

GunChleoc wrote:

Maybe you could prepare a little presentation at home to explain better what Scratch is about? Or look through the homepage for informational material tha you could give them, print it out at home and bring it to school.

I think you should combine these suggestions: create a brief speech or presentation about why Scratch should be downloaded on the computers. Unless you have a chromebook, in which case, you'll have to try to get them to completely allow Scratch.

We do have Chromebooks.

Yeah, but they would still say it would be a game and suspend us for insubordination.

funanddone wrote:

Yeah, but they would still say it would be a game and suspend us for insubordination.

Most schools don't suspend or expel students on a whim!

Like Scratch Team member @cheddargirl said, try to make a compromise with your teachers.
Don't “argue” about it, “convince” them Scratch is something worth downloading on school computers.

It's perfectly possible to allow Scratch offline editors while blocking access to the website.
That should take away the “game” aspect your teachers are worried about.
Unless someone makes a game with the offline editor - but then they are learning to code themselves.

Also, don't assume your teacher will disagree with your points; at least try first.
Good luck to you!

First, it that's what your school thinks, they need to learn what causes viruses. Second, scratch can be more than a 'game". I have made drawing programs that are similar to MS paint, and that is not considered a game.

funanddone wrote:

cheddargirl wrote:

Scratch isn't a game. That being said, I have a feeling that your school probably blocked Scratch on the basis that anyone could, theoretically, go to the Scratch site to play games instead of experiment with the Scratch program or tinker around with projects. It wouldn't be the first time we have seen this.

Maybe you could set up a compromise with the teacher in charge of the school network to have Scratch downloaded to the school computers? It would take out the “game” element while allowing access to Scratch.

Sorry, Cheddargirl, I can't have them download Scratch if they still have it banned, though all I want to do is walk up to their faces and just show ‘em what Scratch really is and take the "we think it’s a game'' part out of it. But that's insubordination, I could get suspended, or even EXPELLED from school. That's all I want to do, nothing else.

hmm tell your school headteacher about scratch

Why did they ban Scratch from you school? Scratch is not a game. I mean Scratch does have some games but teachers aways think diffrent than you.

BOi if yo dont . ScRaTcH iS nOt A gAmE

Wrenigan2038 wrote:

BOi if yo dont . ScRaTcH iS nOt A gAmE

Please don't necropost.