Name: Scratch to Python: Moving from Block- to Text-based Programming
Rating: 4.70833 (24 reviews)

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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.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 3 seconds What are the differences between programming Scratch and Python? How can you transition from a block to a text-based programming language? What can you do to help your learners develop their programming skills? This free course will show you the power of text-based programming. You’ll compare differences in syntax, explore types of error, and learn how to debug your code. You’ll learn about functions, concurrency, and data types. You’ll also take part in practical activities using Python and Scratch and create an action plan to help your students transition to using a text-based language. This four week course contains peer-led discussions, trainer interaction, and feedback on your knowledge as you progress. You can learn whenever and wherever you want.

Skip to 0 minutes and 48 seconds So whether you’re a teacher with students of your own or simply curious about coding, this course will help you take your first steps in moving from block to text-based programming. Sign up now at rpf.io/scratchtopython

What topics will you cover?

Tools to support children’s transition from block-based to text-based programming
Programming and thinking skills in Scratch
Basic skills in Python programming language
Simple error messages in Python syntax, and how to debug code
Understanding the power of text-based programming and what you can create with it

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service:

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 join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

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 software or tools do you need?

Scratch and Python

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!"

Sandra L.

"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!"

J.C.

Who will you learn with?

Caitlyn Merry

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.

Rik Cross

I am Director of Informal Learning at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, previously a secondary ICT and Computing teacher.

Martin O'Hanlon

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 Scott

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

This course is part of the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE). Funded by the Department for Education and partners, we aim to change the way computing is taught in schools across England, and enable more young people to benefit from studying this important subject.

If you are a teacher in England you can get free upgraded access to this course, and use it towards NCCE certification. To do this, you must join the course through the Teach Computing website

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