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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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What Is The Importance Of Scratch Programming Language For Kids?

Scratch is a visual-based programming language that enables young minds to understand the basics of coding in an easy and interactive manner. In block-based coding instead of using syntax, a coder uses blocks of code. These code blocks a learner can simply drag & drop easily. It is like fixing the pieces of the puzzle together. It is a good practice to learn coding through block-based programming languages like Scratch or Code.org. There is no hassle of syntax in these block coding.

It is mostly preferred for newbie coders to spark their interest in the field of coding. Unlike high-level programming languages like Java, Python, C++, etc, Scratch(i.e block-based programming language) does not require the memorization of coding syntax.

For a young learner who is just starting out in the coding field, it is very tedious to learn syntax. After understanding the logic behind the code, the students will understand the syntax and be able to write it on their own.

What Are The Advantages Of Scratch Programming Language?

Demonstrate Easy Programming Concepts:

The code and its simulation are visually depicted in a better way. The learners can understand the concept easily through block-based coding along with learning the implementation of logic.

Teach 21st Century skills:

Scratch enables young learners to learn 21st-century skills like Computational thinking, problem-solving, creative thinking, collaboration, etc., and make them innovators of tomorrow.

Spark An Interest In Programming:

A young learner can develop a passion for coding with Scratch. It gives them a taste of easy-to-execute blog-based coding. When they run a program by managing all the code blocks in the script area. It also builds students' confidence in coding when they see their projects run in a real-time environment.

Free to Use:

Scratch is a free to download platform that enables learners to access and utilize scratch for personal and academic usage.

Take Their Creativity To The Next Level:

Scratch programming gives students the freedom to experiment and build games, animations, and stories as per their choice.

Smooth Hardware extensions:

Scratch 3.0 provides more capabilities than Scratch 2.0. It helps learners to integrate their code with hardware extensions like Micro: bit and Lego Mindstorms to build more complex coding projects.

Solidify Visual Learning:

Each block is color-coded and then it makes it easy to categorize the commands together in the code area. The information retention is maximum when the content is visually presented.

What Are The Major Areas Of Scratch?

Basically, there are 6 major areas in the Scratch platform. We are going to talk about each of these things one by one.

Stage: It is the most important area in which your Scratch programming comes to life. The stage can consist of different costumes that keep on changing as per the story.

Sprite: These are termed as the objects that perform an action in a project. It can be either user-generated, uploaded, or can be located in the sprites library.

Paint Editor: It is a built-in image editor that allows learners to build their own sprites and backdrops using its features. They can use this self-made sprite in their projects as well.

Block Palette: This area is also known as the Code block in which various script blocks are located. It includes Motion, Control, Looks, Sensing, Sound, Operator, pen, and Variable blocks that are used in making projects. There is a block in Block Palette named "More Blocks" that allows the learner to build their own blocks.

Code Area: It is termed as a large empty space that is located on the right-hand side of the block palette. It is represented as an area that is used to store blocks that run the project. A learner can simply drag and drop code blocks into the code area where these can be arranged together to form meaningful scripts.

What Type Of Programming Concepts Can Be Learned From Scratch?

Given below are the programming concepts of Scratch programming language:

Loops: These are the special tools that are used within the code for the purpose of repeating an action multiple times. Now let's learn how you can add loops in the code blocks. Go to the Control section of the block code. There are 3 types of Loops in Scratch programming language. repeat x number of times, repeat until, and forever loop. Each type of loop serves a different purpose.

If-else statements: It is a special type of control block. According to this, if a condition is true, then a set of blocks that are under it gets executed. A variation of the If-else statement is the If-then-else statement in which if the condition is false under the "If" then the "then-else" part will get executed.

Variables: A variable in Scratch is termed as a modifiable value that is recorded in Scratch's memory. These are capable of holding only one value at a time. For example, these values can be text, numbers, or strings. The variables in Scratch Programming are built with the "Make a Variable" button that is located in the block palette. There are 3 main types of variables: Global, Local, and Cloud Variables.

Global Variable: These types of variables are created by default. These are stored in RAM(Random Access Memory).

Local Variable: These types of variables are created just like the global variables. These are created by choosing the option of "For this sprite only" during the time of variable creation. These local variables are stored independently by each sprite.

Cloud Variables: These types of variables are stored in the cloud server. The newer version of scratch 3.0 uses cloud variables that support only numerical data. It must be noted that a cloud variable is limited to only 256 characters and in a single project, a learner can make 10 cloud variables.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have learned about the building blocks of scratch programming language. The visual-based programming language is the best introduction for learners to the exciting world of coding.

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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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Scratch Programming: An Introduction To Block-based Coding For Beginners

Have you ever heard the term Block-based Coding?

It is the most basic form of computer programming that contains the visual blocks to create games and animation. A learner can download scratch free online in the version of their choice either Scratch 2.0 or Scratch 3.0.

What Are Some Scratch-based Terminology?

Let’s talk about some of the Scratch programming-related terminologies.

Sprite: The sprites are defined as objects that appear above the background of the screen. These are also termed as playable or non-playable characters and other interactive objects.

Backdrops: In simple words, a backdrop is defined as static images that can fill out the entire screen or play area.

Events: An event in Scratch programming is something that happens. For example, a key is pressed or a mouse is clicked, etc. Also, an event is defined as a state change. This state change is used to trigger a certain type of behavior in your computer program.

Costumes: A costume in Scratch programming is defined as different versions of the same sprite. For example, a sprite of a girl Avery who is dancing in two different costumes. In each costume, the Avery is presented with its legs in different positions. Thus, we have 2 different versions of the same sprite in two different frames that give an illusion that the sprite Avery is dancing. Thus, changing costumes in Scratch programming is the best way to animate the sprite.

Stage: A stage is defined as a collection of scripts, images, and sounds that provide the required “background” for the sprites to perform an action.

Script: As per the Wikipedia definition, a script is defined as one or more blocks that describe the appearance, sounds, and behavior of a sprite, the stage, or any other variable of a project.

Libraries: Scratch programming language has an abundance of libraries that consists of a collection of resources. For example, you can add sounds to your project with the help of a sound library or add a backdrop to your project with the help of a backdrop library. Everything is available with ease.

Scratch is the visual programming language that gives a good introduction to block-based coding to young learners. It has a drag-and-drop interface that enables the kids to add motion, sound, animation, and other effects on the sprite(character) in a scratch programming language).

You must be wondering what are the benefits of using Scratch programming language from an early age. Let’s talk about it one by one.

Why Scratch Programming Is Beneficial For Kids?

Teaches 21st Century Skills: Scratch programming enables young learners to develop the most essential 21st-century skills with the help of technology usage.

Share Their Innovation With Us: Scratch platform enables learners to collaborate on projects and allows them to share their creations across the world online.

Ease of Use & Free Availability: The most striking feature of Scratch programming is that a learner can access and utilize Scratch for both personal as well as academic use.

No Language Barrier: If English is not your native language, then no worries, Scratch has got you covered. It is used in over 150 countries and is available in 40+ languages. So, a learner can learn Scratch in the language of their choice as per convenience.

Logic Building Makes Easy: Scratch programming is useful for beginners as it helps them to understand the logic behind the code. When the students make sense of the code, they can use their creative skills to enhance the code even further.

Easy Drag & Drop Functionality: Unlike high-level programming languages, the Scratch programming does not require any syntax. Rather than typing the code to perform a function in Scratch, a learner can simply drag and drop the blocks as per their convenience.

Scratch 3.0 makes it extensible: The new version of the Scratch 3.0 contains a lot of features that allow a learner to connect Scratch to hardware such as LEGO WeDO and PicoBoard. This added functionality gives too much freedom to the user to build interactive projects on animation, games, and simulations.

What Is The Scope Of Scratch Programming Language?

The Scratch programming language is the best way for young learners to start their coding journey. Scratch coding is the most amazing way to get used to building logic. The major aim of using Scratch programming is to support self-directed interactive learning through Tinkering and collaboration with peers. Scratch programming language is an ideal tool that enables young learners to code.

Coding is the most useful skill that helps young learners to secure lucrative career opportunities in the field of AI(Artificial Intelligence), IoT(Internet Of Things), Robotics, and Game Development.

How To Get Started With Scratch Programming Language?

There are many edtech companies like Tinkerly that offer coding courses for kids that are based on the grade-wise concepts of AI, IoT, Robotics, and Machine learning. While choosing a course for their kids, the parent has to make sure that their children learn about the basics of programming at an initial level. After getting well-versed in block-based coding, a learner can learn other high-level programming languages like Java, Python, C, C++, etc.

Summing Up!

In this blog, we have talked about the basics of the Scratch programming language. We have discussed various terminologies related to Scratch programming in great detail. In a nutshell, scratch programming is the best introduction to coding. It is the best way to figure out the logic behind the code. There are many platforms using which a learner can learn block-based coding. Scratch and Code.org are the two platforms that are mostly used for the purpose of block-based coding.

For More Info:- scratch 2.0

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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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Nowadays every parent wants to secure their kids future. There are many fields, but coding ensure a good career growth. You can introduce your child to Scratch programming with the help of code.tinker.ly . It prepares young minds from an early age.

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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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Real-life projects based on innovative technologies of Robotics, IoT, ML & AL. for your student's curiosity with coding curriculum for school

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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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Interested students can participate in the Coding Innovator Contest. Showcase Coding Talent With Innovator Contest For Student

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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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Read this blog to learn how to build a simple python program on Rakhi festival. Surprise your sister and learn python too.

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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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Coding For Kids: A Gateway To A Bright Future

According to experts, in the coming years, there will be a massive surge in adopting robotics technology for kids. To understand this robotics technology, one needs to be well versed in coding. Coding classes for kids will be in high demand in the years to come. Thus, it is very important for parents to enroll their kids in online coding classes for kids in the early years of their lives.

Let's read this blog to know why coding classes for kids is the best thing for a child to become future-ready.

Why Is There A Need for Coding Classes For Kids?

If we talk about the most trending field of Robotics, we will find that it is closely related to coding. In other words, Coding is the backbone of any kind of robotics-based project. In simple words, robotics is defined as a branch of computer science and engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and usage of robots to carry out useful tasks. The robot carries out the tasks by following a pre-defined code that is programmed in it. These codes are written in programming languages like Java, Python, C, C++, etc. In order to program a robot, a student needs to understand how a particular code will work. To do so, a learner needs to have a fundamental knowledge of Coding. To gain this knowledge, he/she has to join a coding class for kids.

How Coding Courses for Kids Are Useful?

Robotics is a growing field that has ample job opportunities. If we pair up Robotics with AI(Artificial Intelligence), and Machine Learning(ML) you can create a smart machine that can make everyone's life comfortable. In order to program these Smart Machines, you need to apply the code. No matter which language you learn to carry out the programming. You need to understand the logic behind the code as well. To understand the logic behind the code, a learner needs to understand the structure of a programming language. Once students become aware of the programming structure, they can build many codes as per their choice and the possibilities for innovation are endless.

How To Get Started With Coding Classes For Kids?

Generally, most of the coding courses for kids first teach young learners a block-based programming language- Scratch or Code.org. The benefit of learning this visual programming language is that it teaches learners the logic behind the code. The learner will gain pure knowledge about Coding without worrying about learning the text-heavy syntax(high-level programming languages have a set of syntax). The learner by using block-based programming language can simply drag and drop blocks and understand their function with ease. With practice, the learner will understand the dynamics of coding, and then he/she can easily transition to another high-level programming language like Python or Java.

What Is The Next Step In Learning Coding Courses For Kids?

The best way for kids to learn coding at home is by joining coding classes for kids. There are many interactive classes available online that teach young learners about the fundamentals of Coding. The parents have to choose a coding course for beginners that will give them command over the programming. Also, one more important aspect of coding courses for kids should be to deliver practical knowledge as well. A coding course for kids that uses both theoretical + Practical knowledge enhances the overall learning outcomes of the students. Edtech companies like Tinkerly offer practical experiential learning through its educational STEM kits that take a learner's coding journey beyond the screen and help to reduce the unproductive screen time of young minds. These STEM kits play a vital role in keeping the students hooked to learning. The proper balance of theory and practical knowledge is the key to mastering programming concepts. Unlike other coding courses for kids available online, Tinkerly's coding classes for kids use flipped learning approaches by giving the learner the choice to learn anytime, anywhere. Tinkerly powered Let's Tinker App offers self-learning modules that a learner can watch at their convenience. This way self-paced learning is ensured.

What Are The Benefits Of Learning Coding For Kids In Early Years?

It gives a competitive advantage to learners. They will stay one step ahead of their peers.

When the learning is hands-on it is easy to maintain the learner's focus.

Learning how to code & build cool apps helps boost learners' confidence and helps them develop an inventor attitude & maker mindset.

The skills acquired through coding courses will help learners to solve Real-life Problems with ease.

It helps to enhance Critical Thinking, problem-solving, Analytical Thinking, computational thinking, Design Thinking, and other important 21st-century skills.

Enrolling in Coding courses helps students get a good command of innovative technologies of Robotics, IoT, ML & AL.

Summing Up!

In this blog, we have learned about the importance of coding classes for kids and how it is interrelated to other fields (like robotics). In a nutshell, coding is a useful skill if a learner is aiming for lucrative job opportunities of the future.

For More Info:- Best Online Coding Classes Near me

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tinkerlyblog · 2 years

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