Misconceptions about Scratch and other Block-based Languages (Part 1)
In this series of article, we will debunk some of the myths and misconceptions around Scratch and other block-based languages. The first part will address the concern that “Scratch is not a real coding language“ or “Scratch is not a real programming language“. In this article, Code Ninja debunks some of the myths and misconception about Scratch and other block-based programming languages. Block-based coding platforms makes coding easier to learn. They are as useful and meaningful for learners as other text-based coding languages.
Dress Up for Singapore
Do you know that Singapore has been the scene for quite a few Japanese Anime? If you keep a lookout, you will spot familiar landmarks such as Changi Airport, Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands, Maxwell Food Centre, and Haji lane!
This National Day, let’s do a simple project that brings us around these landmarks!
This project is suitable for Beginners.
Why Top Universities Teach Drag and Drop Programming?
In this short video (1:42), UC Berkeley Professor Dan Garcia explains why top universities are all moving towards introducing students to programming with visual, block-based drag and drop programming.
Scratch & Python Comparison
We get lots of questions around the merits of using Scratch vs. going straight into Python. At Code Ninja, our curriculum has 5 levels of which, the first 3 focus on teaching the fundamentals of coding using Scratch, a block base coding language.
This article outlines the benefits on starting new learners on a coding language like Scratch to accelerates their learning journey and interest. Please reach out for questions. Enjoy!
TicTok Clock
There is a little known sensing block in Scratch - current which reports the date and time of your computer.
We can use this unique sensing block to create a series of time-telling projects, which build upon the knowledge of angles we learned about in previous months.
This project is suitable for Beginners.
Parking a Car
We get a lot of questions about the use of Directions in Scratch. So today we’re going to practice Sprite movement and changing Directions on the move. As an added bonus, we will also be learning how to use the colour picker, which has all sorts of interesting uses.
This project is suitable for Beginners.
Kōlam Inspired Design
Kōlam is a traditional hand-drawn art form in Tamil Nadu and South India. Kōlam patterns are most commonly drawn with chalk or rice powder by women on the thresholds of homes and temples and are of significant cultural importance in Tamil society.
What it also embodies is a perfect symmetry of straight or curved lines built around or through a grid of dots. The designs have a recursive nature and their symmetry and recurring fractals in the design, are likened to mathematical models such as the Sierpinski triangle.
This project will let you use the Pen function in Scratch to generate recursive and symmetrical patterns that are inspired by Kōlam designs.
This project is suitable for Beginners.
Lunar New Year Themed Project
Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival (春节). It marks the beginning of Spring and the holiday marks the end of the coldest days. People welcome spring and what it brings along: planting and harvests, new beginnings and fresh starts. This project will let you plant flowers onto a barren tree to create a beautiful Chinese painting that you can share and send to your friends and family.
It is suitable for Beginners.
