Scratch to Python: Moving from Block- to Text-based Programming
Support learners to use the thinking & programming skills they learnt in Scratch in text-based programming languages like Python.
- Duration4 weeks
- Weekly study2 hours
Scratch to Python: Moving from Block- to Text-based Programming
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Discover how you can transition learners from block to text-based programming
Block-based programming languages like Scratch make it simple to learn and teach programming. But once your students have mastered it, it’s time to move on to a text-based programming language such as Python. This online course will show you how.
You’ll discover how to transfer the programming and thinking skills learnt while using Scratch to Python. You’ll look at how to help your learners develop basic text-based programming skills, understand error messages and debug code.
The course will show you the power of text-based programming and give you the tools to support your students’ transition.
Syllabus
Week 1
Transfer programming and thinking skills from Scratch to Python
Welcome to the course
Meet our educators and the other participants who will accompany you on this course.
Set up your tech
Set up the software and websites you and your students need to start using Python.
Common concepts of Scratch and Python
Explore shared concepts of Scratch and Python, and find out what to consider when you are transitioning your learners.
Week 2
Explore the limits of Scratch and the power of Python
The limits of Scratch and the power of Python
How you can use Python to move your learners' programming beyond the simplicity of Scratch.
The concept of concurrency
Learn about differences in how sections of code run in Scratch and Python.
Debugging
Look into how to interpret error messages and how to help your learners to debug their Python code.
Week 3
Get to grips with Python
Building young people's resilience
Build young people's resilience to help them overcome the hurdles of transitioning to text-based programming.
Real-world Python
Learn to use Python programming to solve real-world problems you and your students might encounter in the classroom.
How to find help
Find out where to find answers to your programming questions
Week 4
Power of text-based programming
Welcome to week 4
An introduction to this week's activities, including an opportunity to reflect on what you've learned so far.
Solve problems with the power of Python
Use external libraries to tackle bigger, real-world tasks with the help of Python.
Action plan and next steps
Draw up a plan of practical measures for transitioning your students, and find out what other text-based languages offer.
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore how you can transfer programming and thinking skills from Scratch to Python
- Develop how you teach basic skills in the Python programming language
- Identify how to help learners understand simple error messages in Python syntax and debug code
- Reflect on the power of text-based programming and what your learners can create
- Produce tools to support children’s transition from block-based to text-based programming
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for teachers and volunteers who are supporting young learners (usually 7-14 year olds) transition from Scratch to Python programming. You should have experience programming in both Scratch and Python. If you need to learn to use Python, you can use our Programming 101: An Introduction to Python for Educators course.
What do people say about this course?
"This is a great course and I would love to see more of these type of projects that children (and myself!) can play around with and improve as they learn new skills. I wish it was more than 4 weeks long!"
"Thank you for this course! As a parent with some coding experience it can be challenging to find ways to approach coding with kids. This course definitely has me thinking differently about how to help my kids evolve their programming skills. Also some very good info I can pass along to our school!"
Who will you learn with?
Caitlyn creates and develops Raspberry Pi resources. She is a former teacher, and a postgrad student in social innovation. She likes open tech, the outdoors, art, music, games and anything scifi.
I am Director of Informal Learning at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, previously a secondary ICT and Computing teacher.
I love technology and creating projects and learning resources for Raspberry Pi. As a child I wanted to be either a computer scientist, astronaut or snowboard instructor.
Marc is a former Science and Computer Science teacher, now working for the Raspberry Pi Foundation as a Content and Curriculum Manager
Who developed the course?
Raspberry Pi Foundation
The Raspberry Pi Foundation works to put the power of digital making into the hands of people all over the world, so they are capable of understanding and shaping our increasingly digital world.
National Centre for Computing Education
National Centre for Computing Education courses
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- Access to this course for 6 weeks
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Available until 19 April 2021 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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