For this assignment, I chose to complete some of the computational thinking lessons from Digital Technologies Hub (based on prior work by Google). These assignments were based around an online coding platform named Pencil Code. For this post, I will be looking at this platform, along with some other educational programming platforms used by teachers in my school, and critiquing their features.
Quick Jump:
Pencil Code
Pencil Code uses the Coffeescript language, with the option to use block-based programming. The blocks, unlike some other platforms, reproduce the actual Coffeescript code. There are options to use Javascript, as well as HTML, and CSS. FUN FACT: HTML and CSS are not programming languages – they are markup languages that describe the structure of a webpage, but have no way of modifying data or executing commands (i.e., they’re static and need a language like Javascript to make dynamic, changing things happen).
The program resembles old-school Logo programming, with the ability to control a turtle cursor and use it as a pen (this is one of the classic ways that schools taught programming back in the day). It also includes options for music and text based programs (e.g., adventure games and chatbots).
Pros:
- Open source
- Flexible – can be used for several types of projects
- Can run and test in the editor
- Includes block-based versions of the two programming languages and HTML
- Could be useful as an intermediary step toward text programming
- Could be used as an inclusion support for students who struggle with typing precision and spelling
- Can switch on the fly between blocks and text
- Coffeescript, Javascript, HTML, and CSS are authentic and common in web development
- This would be a useful site for introductory web development
- No account needed to use
- Account does not require ANY personally identifying information, not even an email address
- Posting of personal identifying information (including real names and email addresses) is not permitted – it seems like this service genuinely takes children’s privacy seriously
- Good documentation of the service, including tutorials for teachers and a book of projects available in print or PDF form, along with community-made tutorials
- Work saved to the servers is publicly available – easy to share completed work
Cons
- Coffeescript and Javascript are less student-friendly than something like Scratch that abstracts out the jargon
- Not as robust for polished graphics as something like Scratch – the focus is on drawing vectors through the code, not controlling sprites
- For this reason, probably not a good option for animation or certain types of games
- Work saved to the servers is publicly available – may require permission, even without identifying information
- Servers probably aren’t in Canada – not as much of a problem without personally identifying information
- Because email addresses are not collected, impossible to reset forgotten passwords
Scratch
Scratch is the product of MIT’s Lifelong Kindergarten lab. It is a block-based coding platform designed for making games, animations, and stories. The blocks are not based around a text language – instead, the blocks put the code snippets into plain language. The platform uses object-oriented programming principles (that is, we attach variables and behaviours to individual objects). Students can attach behaviour to “sprites” and “backgrounds”. They can also draw their own objects and record sound within the platform.
Pros
- Abstracts code into more natural language using blocks, with colour-coding to aid in finding specific features
- Easy to create visually attractive games and animations
- Low floor, high ceiling – young kids can easily create simple games and animations, whereas the program is very robust for older students wanting to create more complex programs
- For reference, we used Scratch in the first two weeks of my university-level intro to programming course
- Large library of pre-made assets
- Built-in sprite and background editor
- Both web and desktop versions
- VERY WIDELY used, meaning that there is a lot of community documentation and tutorials out there
- Ability to “remix” existing projects hosted on the site
- Official documentation is well-developed
- Variants for different audiences:
- Scratch Jr (K-3)
Cons
- Accounts require identifying information: age, birthday, gender, email address
- Servers are based in the United States
- Need to be on the Scratch website to play the games – no way to build a stand-alone version
- Some older, jaded students may be put off by the perceived childishness of the program
- No way to transition to text-based programming
Micro:bit
The BBC Micro:bit is a small, inexpensive microcontroller for education with a free web-based programming editor and simulator. The device has several built-in accessories, such as Bluetooth, buttons, an LED array, a compass, an accelerometer, a light sensor, and a temperature sensor. Newer models include a speaker. It also include pins for connecting and powering electric circuits for additional features.
The editor/simulator uses colour-coded block-based coding similar to Scratch by default, but also has options for Javascript and Python. This platform serves an entirely different function than the above listed program, so direct comparisons are difficult – the types of projects you would do on Micro:bit are entirely different than the ones from Scratch or Pencil Code.
Pros:
- Excellent for teaching more about physical features of computers (input/output, memory, processor) and basic electronics and robotics
- Cheap – ~$25 CAD per unit
- If you don’t feel like splurging that, you can still simulate the code for free
- As with Scratch, blocks abstract away the jargony style of text-based coding
- Students who are ready and willing to move on from blocks have options
- An entirely personal opinion: Python is a friendlier language to work with than Javascript, so I’m happy for its inclusion
- Very good documentation, including a full course in computer science and suggestions for using Micro:bits in the science classroom
- Another entirely personal opinion: the Do Your :Bit competition every year where students build solutions to problems related to the United Nations Global Development Goals is the bomb and super authentic and inspiring and I do it every year.
- Programs are not stored on a server – they are stored locally on the device
- No accounts – therefore, no personally identifiable information is being shared
Cons:
- Using the physical platform and not just simulating costs money
- If internet history is erased or inaccessible, so are your programs (unless you download them)
- Inevitably, students will need help downloading and uploading their programs – they think that if they plug in the device, the code will magically work, but this is not the case
Sources
Education Services Australia. (n.d.). Search: Digital Technologies Hub. Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/search#/site-search?pageNumber=1&keyword=GoogleCT
Micro:bit Educational Foundation. (2021). Do your :bit activities for your classroom. Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://microbit.org/projects/do-your-bit/
Micro:bit Educational Foundation. (n.d.). BBC micro:bit Overview. Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://microbit.org/get-started/user-guide/overview/
Microsoft. (n.d.). Documentation. Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://makecode.microbit.org/docs
Microsoft. (n.d.). Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit. Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://makecode.microbit.org/
Pencil Code Online Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved May 07, 2021, from http://guide.pencilcode.net/
Pencil Code Privacy Policy. (n.d.). Retrieved May 07, 2021, from http://pencilcode.net/privacy.html
Pencil Code Terms of Service. (n.d.). Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://pencilcode.net/terms.html
Scratch Foundation. (2019, February 14). Privacy Policy. Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://scratch.mit.edu/privacy_policy
Scratch Foundation. (n.d.). FAQ. Retrieved May 07, 2021, from https://scratch.mit.edu/info/faq