How block coding is better than traditional coding

BLOCKS ON BLOCKS BUILD THE WHOLE CASTLE and now they can build the whole PROGRAM too!

Every parent realizes the importance of blocks in the growing years of their kids. They help play, learn, understand, and now to code. Block coding for kids is a fun and easy way to drag-and-drop the group of codes called blocks. They are present on the side and the programmer must drag the block of choice into the input field. If the two instructions do not match, then the environment prevents them from snapping together. Once it is matched, the coder can select another block and repeat the process until the full sequence is constructed. Doesn’t it sound like a game? Yes! It is the most interactive and simple way of introducing coding to the kids.

Introducing coding at an early age has become a new trend due to the change in academic patterns and uses. Block coding or programming is an ‘entry-level activity’ that allows children to step into the realm of coding. It helps in gaining the foundational knowledge of coding without the hustle of learning sets of codes. It also gives a taste to the wide range of applications coding offers. It familiarizes them with the computational thinking involved in programming through visual cues in the form of blocks. People assume coding is the same age-old technique where a geek coder sitting on the chair works on black screenwriting codes in green color. That is no more the reality. Today, modern coding software and tools have replaced obsolete coding platforms. Therefore, today we are here to answer, ‘why block coding is better than traditional coding?’

  1. Visual Programming- Block-based coding evolved as a branch of visual programming. It helps the kids to execute the code better in a fun manner. While the text-based programming needs prior knowledge of the language and also requires thinking critically to execute the task which is not a viable option for kids at an early age.
  2. The Ease of Use- Block programming uses the drag and drop method for creating a program whereas traditional programming requires you to write, check and rewrite the codes till the program is executed well.
  3. No Pre-requisite knowledge of coding required- Traditional methods of programming require learning the basics of coding to write the code whereas no such prior knowledge is required in block coding as prepared sets of codes in the form of blocks are given in block coding applications.
  4. Avoiding errors- Block coding in comparison to traditional coding methods helps in avoiding errors at three levels: Syntax- The use of blocks and diagrams to eliminate syntactic errors.

Semantics- Use of meta-information to write and execute the program and Simulation-The block coding uses a visual mechanism to check and execute the programs which save the hustle of correcting and rewriting the codes.

  1. Kids friendly and attractive- The new tools of block coding are far more engaging to the new learners which never fails to grab their attention while giving them a whole new learning experience.
  2. Early Introduction to Coding- Due to Block coding, it has been supremely easy to introduce coding to kids at a very early age. With the traditional means of coding, it was commonly observed that coding was introduced at a very later stage of their education which makes it difficult for them to learn and compete with the fast-paced technology.
  3. Make kids coding ready- On mastering the block-based coding, kids become ready to learn text programming languages such as python, JavaScript, and HTML.

How is Block-Based Coding helpful for kids?

  1. Teaches the fundamental of Coding- Block-based code teaches students important programming concepts such as operators, loops, events, control structures, and more, all in an easy-to-grasp syntax.

  2. Builds imaginative and critical thinking- Block coding opens the creative channel of the kids by engaging them in interactive ways to learn the language of the future. It enhances their critical thinking and helps in cognitive and interpersonal growth.

  3. Helps kids in STEM education- Kids learn to experiment with new things which can aid in the STEM education of the kids by giving them the visual application of their learning. Block-based coding is an excellent steppingstone to learn text-based coding. It is the primary source of getting the foundational knowledge of coding. It has enabled the new learners to learn the concepts like variables, loops, if/then/else, commands, and more in the most fun manner. Therefore, the wisest decision for a newbie coding enthusiast is to explore visual programming by Block-Based Coding.