Programming Using Scratch-based Languages - ORTOP Wiki (2024)

LEGO Education provides Scratch-based graphical programming for both the Mindstorms EV3 Set and for the new SPIKE Prime Set. The SPIKE Prime software calls its Scratch-based language Word Blocks. The version of Scratch for Mindstorms EV3 is included in the EV3 Classroom software, which is available for Windows 10 64-bit, macOS Mojave and Catalina and Chromebooks.

Contents

  • 1 Short Videos on Programming Using SPIKE Prime Word Blocks
    • 1.1 Moving Tutorial
    • 1.2 Turning and Spinning
    • 1.3 Distance Sensor Tutorial
    • 1.4 Colour Sensor Tutorial
    • 1.5 Detect Natural Light Tutorial
  • 2 Workshop on Coaching a FIRST LEGO League Challenge Teams Using Scratch to Program Their Robots
    • 2.1 Session 1 - Introduction, Movement and Motors
    • 2.2 Session 2 - Sensors
    • 2.3 Session 3 - Program Flow Control
  • 3 Short Videos on Programming Using EV3 Classroom in English and Spanish
    • 3.1 Motor Lecture
    • 3.2 Motors Live Demo
    • 3.3 Movement Lecture
    • 3.4 Movement Live Demo
    • 3.5 Events Lecture
    • 3.6 Events Live Demo
    • 3.7 Control Lecture
    • 3.8 Control Live Demo
    • 3.9 Sensors Lecture
    • 3.10 Operators Lecture (plus Variables and Lists in Spanish)
    • 3.11 Variables/MyBlocks/Lists Lecture
    • 3.12 Variables/MyBlocks/Lists Demo (Operators instead of MyBlocks for Spanish version)
    • 3.13 Display/Sound Lecture

Moving Tutorial

Turning and Spinning

Distance Sensor Tutorial

Colour Sensor Tutorial

Detect Natural Light Tutorial

In 2021 ORTOP has created a four-hour workshop that helps a coach or mentor learn about the programming features of EV3 Classroom and SPIKE Prime Word Blocks. The workshop is divided into four one-hour sessions. If you are new to robotics or programming you may want to focus on the material in the first two sessions and reserve the other two sessions until you and your students have more experience.

Session 1 - Introduction, Movement and Motors

PDF of slides used in this session

Session 2 - Sensors

PDF of slides for this session

Session 3 - Program Flow Control

PDF of slides for this session

Session 4 - Variables, Lists, My Blocks, Display & Sound

PDF of slides for this session

Motor Lecture

Español Versión

English Version

Motors Live Demo

Español Versión

English Version

Movement Lecture

Español Versión

English Version

Movement Live Demo

Español Versión

Events Lecture

Español Versión

English Version

Events Live Demo

Español Versión

English Version

Control Lecture

Español Versión

English Version

Control Live Demo

Español Versión

English Version

Sensors Lecture

Español Versión

English Version

Operators Lecture (plus Variables and Lists in Spanish)

Español Versión

English Version

Variables/MyBlocks/Lists Lecture

English Version

Variables/MyBlocks/Lists Demo (Operators instead of MyBlocks for Spanish version)

Español Versión

English Version

Display/Sound Lecture

Español Versión

English Version

Programming Using Scratch-based Languages - ORTOP Wiki (2024)

FAQs

What programming language is Scratch based on? ›

Scratch 3.0 is JavaScript-based, 2.0 is programmed in ActionScript, and the 1. x versions were based on Squeak, which itself is based on Smalltalk-80. 2.0 had an experimental JavaScript-based interpreter that was being developed in parallel with the ActionScript version.

Is Scratch a good programming language? ›

Is Scratch the Best Programming Language for Beginners? Scratch coding is the best programming language for child and teen beginners, especially for younger students. However even for middle and high schoolers can benefit from learning with it too.

Is Scratch developed by MIT? ›

Scratch is a free programming language and online community where young people can create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab.

Can you use Scratch for SPIKE Prime? ›

While the two languages are similar, you can't use programs created in the SPIKE Prime App with Scratch 3.0, or vice versa.

Is Scratch or Python better? ›

While Scratch is a great language for teaching basic coding concepts, it may not have as many real-world applications as Python. Python is used by professionals in many industries, such as finance, healthcare, and engineering.

Is Scratch easier than Python? ›

Both Scratch and Python are beginner-friendly and easy-to-learn coding languages for kids. Plenty of resources are available to learn Python and Scratch, but Scratch would be the best option if your child is new in the programming field. However, which language is best for your kids depends on many factors.

What are the cons of Scratch? ›

Disadvantages of learning Scratch programming:
  • Scratch is a visual block-based programming language that doesn't provide any progression to text-based programming languages. So if your kids wants to learn any text-based programming language, then Scratch is not the best option.
  • No advanced features are available.
Jan 16, 2023

Is Scratch similar to Python? ›

Purpose: Scratch is a visual programming language that is specifically designed for kids and beginners to learn to code, while Python is a general-purpose programming language that is used for a wide range of applications, including web development, data analysis, and scientific computing.

Is Scratch a hard programming language? ›

It uses a drag and drop method which lets children perform actions quickly and easily. This approach is what makes Scratch not hard to learn, and easy to get started with. Things like omitting a comma and forgetting to close a bracket are eliminated, creating more focus on programming concepts.

Does Harvard use Scratch? ›

Using Scratch, this course introduces students to fundamentals of programming, found not only in Scratch itself but in traditional text-based languages (like Java and Python) as well.

Who owns Scratch coding? ›

Scratch is designed, developed, and moderated by the Scratch Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

Who created Scratch coding? ›

Mitchel Resnick, Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab, and David Siegel, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the investment management firm Two Sigma, are the original founders.

Does LEGO Spike use Scratch? ›

The coding language for LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime has the same look and feel as Scratch, the industry standard for block coding. Its familiar drag and drop feature makes it easy for all skill levels.

Does Scratch have a pen? ›

To use the Pen blocks in Scratch, you need add the Pen extension. Click on the Add extension button in the bottom left-hand corner. Click on the Pen extension to add it. The Pen section then appears at the bottom of the blocks menu.

What is Scratch compatible with? ›

For easy use, students can access Scratch coding with its offline editor or download it onto their computers. To run Scratch, all your students need is a Windows, Linux, ChromeOS, or Mac computer, a recent web browser, and a recent version of the Adobe Flash Player.

Is Scratch a Python code? ›

Scratch is a beginner-friendly visual programming language that allows you to create interactive stories, games, and animations by dragging and dropping blocks of code. On the other hand, Python is a versatile text-based programming language widely used for various applications.

Is Scratch built on Python? ›

Scratch uses a visual programming language, where you can create programs by dragging and dropping blocks, while Python uses a text-based syntax that is more similar to traditional programming languages.

Is Scratch related to Python? ›

What is the difference between Python and Scratch coding? Python is a high-level programming language used in developing apps, AI, machine learning, data analytics, data science, and advanced computing. Scratch is a visual programming language used to create basic games and animations.

Is Scratch similar to Java? ›

Unlike traditional programming languages such as Java and C++, Scratch uses a graphical user interface. This means that creative ideas from games and animations to interactive stories can be implemented quickly. To do this, graphical blocks are used in place of text-based coding.

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