Learn more about our Coding Blocks courses
Learn to code with Coding Blocks: from beginner to innovator
We can help you learn to code using Coding Blocks! We use Scratch, a website where you can learn to code using drag and drop coding blocks, aka visual programming.
What is visual-based programming?
Visual-based programming is an umbrella term for programming languages that use visual elements — such as drag-and-drop blocks — to build code for a program. They are rather unlike text-based programming languages, which require you to build a program by writing lines of code.
What is Scratch?
Scratch is a popular visual-based programming language that is targeted primarily at people who have little to no experience with coding. In our Scratch course, you will learn how to program simple games, interactive artwork, animations, and much more! Scratch is a great way for 7-11 year olds to learn how to code.
Why Scratch?
Scratch is a great way for students to develop their understanding of fundamental computing concepts. Its drag-and-drop coding blocks also remove the immediate need for newcomers to pay attention to finer details, such as proper syntax, as well as any background technical knowledge. Scratch’s easy-to-use and brightly-coloured coding blocks makes it a powerful, accessible, and user-friendly tool to get started with coding. It makes learning to code super fun and easy for everyone!
Our Scratch courses: an overview
Below is an overview of our 2-year Scratch programming pathway. It is made up of four 8-week courses to be delivered across four school terms. We offer different proficiency levels to suit your learning needs — so whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate or an advanced coder, there will always be new things to learn and challenge yourself with! Everyone can learn to code with Scratch!
In our courses, you can learn a variety of soft and technical skills, such as:
| Soft skills | Technical skills |
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Each term, we cover a particular theme to structure our learning. Past examples of themes include Art and Animation and Space and Exploration, to name just a few.
We also build new projects every term that fit into one of the following categories:
- Computer games
- Interactive artwork
- Animations
BEGINNER SCRATCH COURSE
Our Beginner Scratch course is a great place for those who have little to no experience with
programming. There are four Beginner Scratch courses, over the course of which you will learn the following fundamental programming concepts:
| Commands | Sequencing | Branching (decision making) |
| Iteration (loops) | Maths (addition, subtraction, equality) | Variables |
| XY coordinates | Positive and negative numbers | Collision detection |
| Animations | Simple Boolean logic | Testing and debugging |
Below is an overview of our Beginner Scratch course:
ART AND ANIMATION |
SPACE AND EXPLORATION |
SPORTS AND GAMES |
FANTASY AND STORIES |
| Use technology as a tool for creative design, artistic expression, and making animations.
❖ What is coding? |
Explore the wonders of space through game design and creative graphics.
❖ Writing linear algorithms |
Inspire yourself to create your own games and traditional games.
❖ Designing AI for computer games |
Create imaginary worlds and characters. Design your universe, your story, and your hero.
❖ Problem decomposition: breaking it down into small achievable steps |
INTERMEDIATE SCRATCH COURSE
Our Intermediate Scratch course is perfect for students who are confident in the skills outlined above in our Beginners course breakdown. There are four Intermediate Scratch courses, over the course of which you will learn the following programming concepts:
| Branching: if blocks vs if-else blocks | Iteration: forever vs repeat vs repeat until | Maths: angles, geometry, random number generation, comparisons |
| Joining strings | User input boxes | Player dashboards |
| Controlling objects in 2D space using XY coordinates | Designing AI algorithms | More complex Boolean logic |
| Gravity effects and trajectory physics | Multi-player and multi-level game design |
Below is an overview of our Intermediate Scratch course:
| SCIENCE AND FUTURE |
IMAGINARY WORLDS |
GAME DESIGN |
ARCADE CLASSICS |
| Using technology as a tool for creative design, artistic expression, and making animations. | Create your own imaginary world and creatures. Design the environment and the characters that live in it. |
Inspire yourself to create your own games and traditional games. | Let’s discover classic arcade games. Learn how to build classics like Pong, Tank Wars, Space Invaders, and Breakout! |
| ❖ Algorithms: linear and branching ❖ Animating & graphic designs ❖ Creating sound effects ❖ Testing and debugging ❖ Creating own sprites and backgrounds ❖ Player input box ❖ Joining strings and variables |
❖ Arithmetic: simple maths operations ❖ Problem decomposition ❖ Data inputs and outputs ❖ User inputs ❖ Boolean logic in more complex applications ❖ Branching: if vs if-else ❖ Iteration: forever vs repeat vs repeat until |
❖ Broadcast messages ❖ Player dashboards ❖ Creating multi- player controls ❖ Creating multi-level games ❖ Creating sound effects ❖ Designing AI algorithms ❖ Game design elements |
❖ Iterative design, from a simple prototype to evolving the design ❖ Arithmetic: comparisons ❖ Using variables for data inputs & outputs ❖ Designing AI algorithms ❖ Gravity effects & trajectory physics |
Tell me more!
Interested in giving us a try? We have so many options to get you started!
We run school term, school holiday, and privately-organised classes for Scratch. You can join classes at our in-person locations across the greater Brisbane region, or start learning via our virtual classrooms!
- Learn more about our online classes!
- Got a question? We’d love to hear from you: hop on over to our contact page!
Click on the button below to download our Coding Blocks (Scratch) pdf flyer.
Let’s get coding!
