Blockly Games is, as the name suggests, about making a game of block-based coding. The plan here is to teach students code in a way that digitally comes to life. The thinking is to have kids inspired by the experience that goes from the basics to more complex ideas, naturally.
Everything created here, compliments of Neil Fraser, is free to access and use. The educational, STEM-friendly games are offered as a way to teach coding to all in a fun and engaging way.
The website itself does look very basic and that is because it was created by a single person and needs no frills, it just does what it was designed for. This is made for those totally new to coding who want to learn from the beginning in a progressive way.
This guide aims to clarify all you need to know about Blockly Games for your class.
What is Blockly Games?
Blockly Games is a digital code-teaching platform that features block-based coding. Designed for absolute beginners, this is all very self-explanatory and can be accessed online for ease.
Using puzzles, this works in a gamified way to engage students while at the same time teaching them how block-based coding works. This progresses into text-based coding with students able to build their own basic game by the end of the program.
The idea here is to begin down the path of computational thinking, logic, and math before growing that into real-world coding skills using the Java Script coding language. To be clear, this is built on Blockly coding, but this does pave the way for more complex text-based coding.
How does Blockly Games work?
Blockly Games is all available for free so teachers and students can visit the site and begin playing and learning right away. The lander has you right in the options, but you can select the About section for more details on each of the games.
Select a game and you will immediately be met with guidance written on how to move blocks about to achieve progress within that game. This is super self-explanatory and could be started by most ages and abilities, as long as reading and basic computer skills are available.
As you progress you will be asked if you want to move to the next level. This is a useful natural pause point that teachers can use to have students check in as they progress, working individually.
While this begins easy, the complexity grows so that it can reach a more challenging level, even for older students.
What are the best Blockly Games features?
Blockly Games offers a variation to the type of game in order to teach varying types of block based coding as well as text-based.
In total there are eight games available with multiple levels on each: Puzzle, Maze, Bird, Turtle, Movie, Music, Pod Tutor, and Pond. The last two use text-based coding to begin learning that more complex system.
Usefully, these can be played online or downloaded for offline use, which could be helpful for students outside of class, but also for consistent use when internet connections are not stable or available.
Music is a helpful way to teach code while also working with written music. Students will need to know how to read basic music but this can combine that with block-based coding to create music in a fresh way.
Once you progress to the level of Pond Tutor it’s possible to write code in Java Script to output more complex game-based results.
How much does Blockly Games cost?
Blockly Games is created as a free resource. Anyone can access and learn from the games, online. But they can also download games to use offline. It is also possible to create your own versions using the code for this which is also freely available.
It has no adverts and no tracking, with all safe and school-appropriate content only.
Blockly Games best tips and tricks
Start basic
Begin on the big screen, taking the class through the basics so they can see how it works before progressing on their own devices.
Download
Have students download this for offline use so they can access it on their devices, even without internet connection.
Translate
Since this is available in many different languages, be sure to access it in the native tongue of the student for the most immersive experience.