3.
Block Programming
3.1 Concept of block programming
3.2 Introduction to Scratch: Features, Interface, Blocks
3.3 Components of Scratch: Control, Events, Motion, Operator, Variables and Sounds
3.4 Concept of Microbit: Micro Controller, Physical computing, sensors, LED Matrix
3.5 Concept of Arduino and UNO (universal Microcontroller coding)
3.1 Concept of Block Programming
Block programming is a simple and
visual method of programming used to learn coding.
The word “block”
refers to puzzle-like graphical pieces that fit together to form a program,
while “programming” means giving instructions to a computer or
electronic device to perform specific tasks. When combined, block
programming involves arranging these blocks as instructions to tell the
computer what to do.
It is a user-friendly
approach, especially suitable for beginners and children.
Block programming is widely used to
teach the basic concepts of programming by using colorful graphical blocks
to create computer programs, games, videos, and animations.
It supports graphics, animation, and
sound without requiring knowledge of complex text-based programming languages.
Common examples of block programming
platforms include Scratch, Blockly, and Snap.
Advantages of Block
Programming
a) Users do not need
to worry about syntax or grammar as in other programming languages.
b) Users can focus
more on creativity, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
c) The chances of
human typing errors are very low since users do not need to write code
manually.
d) Block programming
is colorful, visually appealing, and engaging, especially for beginners and
children.
e) It provides an
interactive learning platform that helps users easily shift to text-based
programming languages in the future.
Applications of Block Programming
a) Educational Purpose
Block programming is
widely used in schools and educational programs to teach basic coding concepts.
Its visual and interactive approach makes programming easy and interesting for
beginners. It helps students develop a strong foundation in programming and
prepares them to transition to text-based programming languages in the future.
b) Game Development
Block programming is
used to develop simple games. Users can create characters, add game elements,
and design game logic using blocks. This allows learners to focus on gameplay
logic and creativity without dealing with complex coding syntax.
c) Mobile App Development
Block programming can
also be used to create mobile applications. Users can design user interfaces,
define app functions, and combine different blocks to develop Android and iOS
applications without advanced programming knowledge.
d) Robotics
Block programming is widely used in
robotics to program robotic devices. Its visual programming tools allow users
to design robot movements, define behaviors, and control sensors easily.
Devices such as micro:bit and Arduino UNO can be programmed using
block programming. This helps students learn robotics concepts, build
creativity, and develop interest in experimenting with robotic projects.
e) Web Development
Block programming can be used to
create interactive websites using a visual interface. Users can define web page
elements, user interactions, and basic data handling through blocks. This
visual approach helps beginners understand web development concepts and acts as
a bridge before learning text-based programming languages.
f) Creative Projects
Block programming is also used in
creative fields such as animation and interactive storytelling. Artists and
learners use platforms like Scratch and Blockly to create
animations, stories, and creative digital projects. Many such projects have
been developed using block programming platforms.
g) Modeling and Simulation
Modeling and simulation involve
using logical or physical representations of a system to study behavior and
make predictions. Block programming makes modeling and simulation easier by
allowing users to define parameters, interactions, and scenarios using visual
blocks.
h) Data Science and Visualization
Block programming can be used in
data science to design simple algorithms, organize data, and perform data
analysis using a visual interface. The results of data analysis can be
presented through interactive charts and graphs, making data easier to understand
and visualize.
3.2 Introduction to Scratch:
Features, Interface, Blocks
Scratch is one of the most popular and
widely used block-based programming languages, especially designed for
beginners and children.
It was developed by
the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab.
Scratch is an open-source
platform, meaning it is free and publicly available to everyone.
It has a large online
community where users share projects and help each other.
The current version
of Scratch is Scratch 3.0.
Scratch provides a colorful and
interactive interface that allows users to create games, animations, stories,
and interactive projects using visual blocks.
Although Scratch is fun and easy to
use, it also helps users develop important skills such as logical thinking,
problem-solving, and creativity, similar to professional programming.
Scratch can even be used to create
advanced projects such as controlling robots or electronic devices.
Downloading Scratch on PC
Scratch can be downloaded and used
on a personal computer by following these steps:
- Open
a web browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Go
to the official Scratch website: https://scratch.mit.edu
- Click
on the Download option available on the website.
- Choose
the version suitable for your operating system (Windows).
- Download
the Scratch installer file.
- Open
the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install
Scratch.
- After
installation is complete, open Scratch from the desktop or Start menu.
Once installed, Scratch can be used
offline to create programs, games, and animations.
Using Scratch Online on PC
Scratch can be used online on a PC
without installing any software by following these steps:
- Open
a web browser such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.
- Visit
the official Scratch website: https://scratch.mit.edu
- Click
on the Sign In option and log in using a Scratch account.
- If
you do not have an account, click Join Scratch to create one.
- After
signing in, click on the Create button.
- The
Scratch online editor will open, allowing you to create programs using
block-based coding.
- You
can save projects online and access them anytime by logging into your
account.
Using Scratch online allows users
to create, edit, and share projects easily without installing Scratch on the
computer.
Scratch for Mobile
Scratch can also be
used on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Users can access
Scratch through a mobile web browser by visiting the official Scratch website.
However, the full Scratch editor works best on tablets and larger screens
rather than small mobile phones.
For younger learners,
ScratchJr is available as a mobile application for Android and iOS
devices. ScratchJr is a simplified version of Scratch designed for children to
learn basic programming concepts using visual blocks. It allows users to create
simple stories, animations, and games by snapping blocks together.
Scratch for mobile helps learners
practice programming concepts anytime and anywhere, making learning more
flexible and accessible.
Features of Scratch
a) Drag-and-Drop Interface -
Scratch uses a drag-and-drop system where
users create programs by assembling blocks instead of typing code.
b) Event-Driven Programming
Scratch programs can respond to events
such as mouse clicks, key presses, or dragging objects.
c) Data and Variables
Scratch allows the use of variables to
store, update, and manipulate data within a program.
d) Loops and Conditions
Loops and conditional blocks help control
the flow of program execution easily.
e) Sounds and Music
Scratch supports adding sounds and music
to make projects more interactive and engaging.
f) Community Sharing
Users can share their projects on the
Scratch website, explore others’ creations, and collaborate with the global
Scratch community.
Scratch Interface
Scratch has a colorful and
user-friendly interface. Both the online and offline versions of Scratch have
the same interface. The Scratch interface consists of the following main
components:
- Stage
The stage is where the output of the program is displayed. Sprites perform actions on the stage when the green flag is clicked. - Sprite
A sprite is any object or character in Scratch. By default, Scratch provides a cat sprite, which can be changed using the Choose a Sprite option. - Blocks
Palette
The blocks palette contains different types of programming blocks arranged by color and category, which are used to create programs. - Scripts
Area
The scripts area is where blocks are dragged and connected together to form a program. - Extensions
Library
This library allows users to add extra features such as Music, Pen, micro:bit, and other extensions to a Scratch project. - Costumes
Tab
The costumes tab is used to draw, edit, or change the appearance of a sprite. - Sounds
Tab
Reinforces projects by adding sound effects or music to sprites or the stage. - Sprite
Info Pane
This section shows all sprites used in the project and allows users to select and manage sprites. - File
Tab
Used to create new projects, open existing projects, and save work. - Choose
a Sprite
Allows users to select sprites from Scratch’s built-in library. - Choose
a Backdrop
Used to select or change the background image displayed on the stage. - Project
Name
Displays the name of the project, which can be edited by clicking on it. - Green
Flag
Acts as the play button to start running the program. - Backpack
Used to store blocks, sprites, or scripts that can be reused in other projects.
Concept of Block
In block programming,
blocks are colorful graphical units that represent actions or commands.
These blocks are joined together using the drag-and-drop method to
create a sequence of instructions for a program. This process is similar to
playing with building blocks, where blocks are connected to form a complete
structure.
Block-based coding is
easy for beginners to understand because it does not require writing complex
code. For example, to move a character or make it perform an action such as
jumping, the required blocks are simply selected and connected. This approach encourages
creativity and helps develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
3.3 Components of Scratch: Control,
Events, Motion, Operator, Variables and Sounds
The block
component of Scratch is one of its main features that makes it unique.
Blocks are pre-programmed commands represented in the form of colorful
graphical blocks. These blocks work like puzzle pieces that can be joined
together using drag-and-drop to create programs. Each block has a specific
function and helps control the behavior of sprites.
In Scratch, there are nine main
types of blocks available in the Blocks Palette, grouped according
to their functionality.
Types of Blocks in Scratch
1. Motion Blocks
Motion blocks are used to control
the movement of a sprite on the stage. They help move, turn, glide, or change
the position and direction of a sprite.
Example: move 10 steps, turn 15 degrees
2. Looks Blocks
Looks blocks are used to change the
appearance of a sprite, such as its costume, size, color effects, or
visibility.
Example: say "Hello!", change size by 10
3. Sound Blocks
Sound blocks are used to add sound
effects and music to sprites and control volume.
Example: play sound meow, change volume by 10
4. Events Blocks
Events blocks are used to start
scripts when a specific event occurs, such as clicking the green flag or
pressing a key.
Example: when green flag clicked, when space key pressed
5. Control Blocks
Control blocks manage the flow of a
program by using loops, delays, and conditions.
Example: repeat 10, if then
6. Sensing Blocks
Sensing blocks allow a sprite to
detect interactions with other sprites, the mouse, keyboard, or environment.
Example: touching sprite?, mouse down?
7. Operators Blocks
Operators blocks are used to
perform mathematical calculations and logical comparisons.
Example: +, <, and
8. Variables Blocks
Variables blocks are used to store,
update, and display data values during program execution.
Example: set score to 0, change score by 1
9. My Blocks
My Blocks allow users to create
custom blocks to organize code and reuse instructions easily.
Example: define jump
3.4 Concept of Micro:bit
The micro:bit (stylized as micro:bit)
is a small programmable device, about the size of a calculator, used to create
interactive projects such as games, flashlights, robots, and decorative lights
like Tihar lights. It is a tiny computer designed to help learners
understand how programming and hardware components work together.
Micro:bit is mainly used for
learning and experimenting with physical computing, which refers to
creating projects that interact with the real world using sensors, lights,
buttons, and movement. It provides a simple and effective way for students to
learn programming concepts while working with real electronic components.
History of Micro:bit
The micro:bit, also known as
the BBC micro:bit, was developed to encourage young people to become
creative with digital technology and improve their programming skills. It was
introduced in 2015 as part of an educational initiative in the United
Kingdom by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).
The development of the micro:bit
was a collaborative effort involving several organizations such as BBC, ARM,
Microsoft, and other educational partners. The device was designed to be simple,
affordable, and easy to use, so that students could learn coding and basic
electronics in a practical, engaging, and motivating way.
Components of Micro:bit
The micro:bit contains various
components that make physical computing possible. The main components of
micro:bit are:
a) Microcontroller
The microcontroller is a tiny
computer on the micro:bit board that runs programs and controls all other
components to perform specific tasks.
b) 5×5 LED Matrix
The 5×5 LED matrix consists of 25
small LEDs used to display text, numbers, symbols, and simple animations.
c) Sensors
Micro:bit includes sensors such as light
and temperature sensors that measure environmental conditions around the
board.
d) Buttons
The micro:bit has two programmable
buttons (Button A and Button B) that can be used to trigger actions when
pressed.
e) Microphone
The microphone allows the micro:bit
to detect and respond to sound or noise levels.
f) Pin Connector
Pin connectors are metal holes used
to connect wires, external components, or other devices to the micro:bit for
extended functionality.
g) Physical Computing Support
Micro:bit supports physical
computing, which combines hardware (sensors, buttons, LEDs) and software to
create interactive real-world projects such as robots, wearable devices, and
smart systems.
Applications of Micro:bit
Micro:bit has many applications in
different fields due to its small size, built-in sensors, LEDs, and wireless
capabilities. Some major applications of micro:bit are:
a) Education
Micro:bit is widely used as an
educational tool to provide hands-on learning in coding and electronics.
Students can create interactive projects such as games, animations, and simple
gadgets, which helps them understand programming and hardware concepts effectively.
b) Fitness
Micro:bit can be used to develop
fitness-related projects that promote movement and exercise. Examples include
step counters, fitness games, and workout trackers.
c) Games
Micro:bit is an ideal platform for
creating simple games using buttons, sensors, and LEDs. Examples include
rock–paper–scissors, maze games, and dice simulators.
d) Fashion
Micro:bit is used in fashion and
wearable technology to add interactive elements to clothing and accessories.
Designers use LEDs and sensors to create smart garments and wearable
accessories.
e) Music
Micro:bit can be used to create
interactive musical projects such as electronic instruments, sound effects, and
beat generators. Projects like banana piano, voice recorder, and jukebox are
common examples.
f) Cooking
Although micro:bit is not designed
specifically for cooking, it can be creatively used for tasks such as digital
egg timers, temperature monitoring, and displaying recipes.
g) Home and Garden
Micro:bit can be used to create
smart home and gardening solutions such as temperature and humidity monitors,
smart lighting systems, soil moisture monitoring, and automated watering
systems.
3.5 Concept of Arduino UNO
While micro:bit is mainly
suitable for beginners and educational purposes, Arduino UNO is
preferred for a wider range of projects such as LED flashlights, robotic
vehicles, temperature sensors, and many other electronic applications. Arduino
UNO is one of the most common and widely used Arduino boards. It is a
microcontroller-based development board used to learn and build real-world
electronic projects.
History of Arduino UNO
The Arduino UNO platform was
developed by David Cuartielles and Massimo Banzi in 2010.
Their main objective was to provide students with an easy-to-use tool to learn
programming and electronics together. Arduino UNO was designed to help learners
apply theoretical knowledge to real-life projects and develop a practical
understanding of programming and electronic systems.
Types of Components in Arduino UNO
The components of Arduino UNO are
divided into hardware and software components.
a) Hardware Components
Arduino UNO consists of the
following hardware parts:
- ATmega328P
microcontroller,
which acts as the brain of the board
- 14
digital input/output pins
- 6
analog input pins
- USB
port for
programming and power
- Power
jack
- Reset
button
- Built-in
LED
- Crystal
oscillator
for clock signal
- Voltage
regulator for
power control
b) Software Components
Arduino UNO uses a special software
called the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment). This
software is used to write, compile, and upload programs to the Arduino board.
Arduino IDE also supports libraries, which are ready-made sets of code
that add extra functionality and make programming easier.
Applications of Arduino UNO
Arduino UNO is versatile and easy
to use, so it is applied in many fields. Some major applications are:
a) Education
Arduino UNO is widely used in
education to teach programming and electronics together through practical
experiments.
b) Home Automation
It is used in home automation
projects such as controlling lights, monitoring temperature, and managing
household appliances.
c) Robotics
Arduino UNO is popular in robotics
for controlling motors, sensors, and robotic systems.
d) Wearable Technology
Due to its small size, Arduino UNO
is suitable for wearable devices such as digital watches, step counters, and
smart accessories.
e) Data Gathering
Arduino UNO can collect data using
sensors, making it useful for environmental monitoring, motion detection, and
GPS tracking.
f) Gaming
Arduino UNO can be used to create
simple games or gaming controllers by combining programming and electronics.
g) Audio Projects
It is used in audio-related
projects such as music controllers, sound installations, and walking pianos.
h) Testing Products
Engineers and developers use
Arduino UNO to test electronic circuits and prototypes before developing
complex hardware products.
|
Micro:bit |
Arduino UNO |
|
Micro:bit is mainly designed for
beginners and students. |
Arduino UNO is used for beginners
as well as advanced users. |
|
It is small in size and simple to
use. |
It is slightly larger and more
complex than micro:bit. |
|
It supports block-based
programming such as MakeCode and Scratch. |
It mainly uses text-based
programming (Arduino IDE using C/C++). |
|
It has built-in components like
LED matrix, buttons, sensors, and Bluetooth. |
It requires external components
like LEDs, sensors, and modules. |
|
It is best for learning basic
programming and physical computing. |
It is suitable for real-world
electronic and robotic projects. |
|
Micro:bit is commonly used in
schools for educational purposes. |
Arduino UNO is widely used in
industries, robotics, and prototyping. |
|
It is easier to set up and start
using. |
It needs more wiring and circuit
connections. |
Micro:bit is ideal for beginners
and educational learning, while Arduino UNO is better suited for advanced
projects and real-world electronic applications.
