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Scratch to Python: Moving from Block- to Text-based Programming

4.7 (24 reviews)

Support learners to use the thinking & programming skills they learnt in Scratch in text-based programming languages like Python.

20,626 enrolled on this course

An illustrated collage of various images from throughout the course - including teachers, students, and code.

  • Duration

    3 weeks

  • Weekly study

    2 hours

  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info
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The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

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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 in 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 errors, 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 three-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 50 seconds So whether you’re a teacher with students of your own, or simply curious about coding, this course will help you to 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:

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.

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?

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

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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