Scratch provides an engaging way to learn computer programming while creating games, animations, art pieces and stories – and its free platform makes collaboration simple! Join now and collaborate on this fun venture together.
Scratch was developed by the MIT Media Lab and now boasts more than 67 million projects in 70 languages across its user community. As a block-based programming language that’s easier for children to comprehend than text-based code, developing projects on Scratch is highly motivating; those learning its programming techniques may even find them applicable elsewhere in real life – like learning other computer languages!
Scratch can be accessed online through any web browser or offline with an editor program that needs to be downloaded and installed onto a computer, along with mobile applications for convenient use on-the-go. Kids can easily create username and password accounts that allow them to save games or view other users’ creations – and all content on Scratch is moderated so young children stay safe! Furthermore, both website and editor come in multiple languages for easier use.
Scratch projects consist of three areas: stage area, scripts area and user dashboard – enabling program creators to use various coding blocks in creating programs using Scratch’s user dashboard. A “block” is defined as any group of commands that perform an action; each block has a color-coded function. Scratch also offers access to its library of music, sounds and art which can be added as background music for projects; in addition, users have the capability of designing their own customized backdrop for the stage.
Step one of developing a Scratch project involves selecting an initial character or object (called a sprite ) for inclusion. Edits may be made by selecting it on stage and selecting from various costumes available, or creating your own costume designs. Next comes adding code blocks in scripts area to build program; once complete click green flag button or start button and run your program onto screen for viewing!
Once a sprite has been selected, the next step is to add code in the scripts area to add its desired actions. A two-block code might move a sprite 10 steps based on user clicks – see image below; yellow “When Green Flag Clicked” block connects directly with blue “Move () Steps”, which can then be programmed as soon as a green flag click occurs and performed accordingly when clicked by user.
As you develop your project, it may become necessary to add sounds by hovering the mouse cursor over the speaker icon in the lower-left corner. Or alternatively, custom sounds can be recorded using clicking record and dragging mouse over sound wave. Once completed, projects can be viewed on stage by clicking green flag button.