HPR4316: Is Scratch a real programming language?

Hacker Public Radio

What is Scratch? Who made it? How does it work? What can it do? What are the blocks and how they relate to coding? Can be dragged and placed Different shapes/colours represent different aspects Round ones are analogous to Functions Sharp ones are variables Control ones are Logic/Conditions Why is this good? Allows kids to focus on logic and the mindset of coding without having to learn or care about Syntax/lines of code Allows for direct visualisation of what the code does My own experience Started with blocks in Lego Mindstorm Evolved to C HTML/PHP and then Python The workshop Kids made 2 games that covered all basics Triggers/Input Functions Variables Were all customised by them Explain that each kid made their version the football crazy one turned my cat and balloon game into a Football Match They got to take them home The games covered the basics on this way Input using keyboard for triggering functions Use Functions to modify location parameters If/Then Conditions for when sprites are touching each other/the walls Variables for storing points Operands to increase Points in variable End conditions Loops for permanently checking the If/Then Conditions Ask about the organisation Mora Mundus Download and learn more about Scratch .