Block Coding introduces coding concepts and thinking skills in a visual format that builds a strong foundation that supports learning in other programming languages.
The Coding home page includes an embedded video that introduces Block Coding.
The Learn home page provides an overview of the scope and sequence of Levels around specific topics. Each Level is comprised of a series of Lessons. These Levels and Lessons can be navigated through the left-hand menu or by scrolling through the list of lessons.
Block Coding Lessons
Each lesson in Block Coding creates a self-guided experience for pupils through a series of scaffolded tasks.
Lessons always begin with an Introduction to the concept as the first step.
As pupils progress through each Lesson, they are introduced to coding concepts and vocabulary in the Solve steps.
Hands-on tasks are provided to allow pupils to practice dragging and dropping objects, events, and actions. These tasks support the development of computational thinking skills such as logic and sequencing.
Each Lesson's step includes four sections:
- Instructions: Written explanation of the task(s) for this Lesson step. This section can be hidden and revealed as needed by pupils. Clicking the speaker icon provides a read aloud function to support all learners. Specific vocabulary may include a link to pop-up definitions.
- Code: Space where pupils will add and manipulate coding elements. When pupils have finished a task or created their own code, they select Run to test
- Design: Provides a space for the avatars that follow the code when Run is selected. *During the final step of each Lesson (Build), additional options to add and edit elements are provided in this space.
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Console: Identifies any errors that exist in a pupils code after selecting Run.
Practise steps allow pupils to make decisions about how to use the coding elements provided. These periodic steps provide a scaffold for pupils to combine conceptual knowledge with computational thinking.
The final step for each lesson is Build.
This step offers a creative opportunity for pupils to apply everything learned in the lesson. Similar to Practise steps, pupils make decisions about how to use the coding elements provided.
In addition, the Design panel also offers options such as adding more objects, editing objects, and modifying the background and colors.
Block Coding Lesson Supports
A variety of supports are provided for each Block Coding Lesson. Each topic includes a downloadable, printable Student Guide that offers offline coding activities to reinforce and support pupil learning.
Each Lesson includes a Help Video. This video provides both the purpose for the Lesson as well as a tutorial to support pupils as they progress through each step. The Help Video can be accessed from any step within the Lesson.
Teachers can access a Lesson Plan that is connected to each Lesson. Lesson Plans can be found on the Introduction step of each Lesson or from the list of all Lessons on the Block Coding homepage. Lesson Plans are downloadable, printable pdfs that include an overview, learning objectives, success criteria, key vocabulary, key questions, and strategies to support pupils as they move through the steps of the Lesson.
As pupils move through each new Level, Refresher Lessons are provided that reinforce concepts and vocabulary introduced previously. Each new Level provides Refresher Lessons for previous Levels. Refresher Lessons follow the same format as all other Lessons and include:
- Introduction, Solve, Practice, and Build steps
- Help Video
- Lesson Plan (for teachers)
Block Coding Create
The opportunity to 'free code' and develop an app is provided through Create. Selecting Create from the Block Coding Home page allows pupils to develop an app outside of any restrictions or structure provided in the Learn lessons.
By selecting New App, pupils are directed to a 'free code' space that allows them to access all of the content available in Block Coding.
The Everything filter at the top of the screen allows pupils to limit the block types they can use while creating an app. The default is Everything but can be changed to limit options to only blocks used at certain levels. This allows pupils to free code at any point using the block types they are familiar with and comfortable using.
By selecting the Plus (+) symbol in the Code panel, pupils can access all the coding blocks they have encountered and used during Learn. Blocks are presented in a scrollable, alphabetical list by function and can be filtered by selected category types or keyword search.
Pupils can also make decisions about their app using the Design panel.
Depending on the Blocks selection from the filter menu (Everything or by Level), different object types can be added and edited, background and colours can be modified, and the settings for how objects will behave in the Design panel can be set.
Their creations can be then added to presentations and shared with teachers or classmates.
Block Coding Glossary
Selecting the Glossary from the Block Coding dropdown menu or Home page provides access to an interactive menu of vocabulary terms specific to that coding language. Glossary terms are presented in a scrollable alphabetical list that provides each term and its meaning. A navigable grid of letters allows you to jump to any section of the list by selecting a letter. Only letters that have associated Glossary terms can be selected.
Additionally, Glossary terms are included in Lessons and are identified as interactive through their color and underlining.
Selecting a Glossary term within a Lesson generates a pop-up definition at point-of-use.
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