Scratch
Programming through play
MIT's Scratch teaches programming through visual block-based coding, introducing millions of children to computational thinking.
Overview
Scratch replaced typing code with snapping blocks together. MIT’s Media Lab created a programming environment where children could create interactive stories, games, and animations without syntax errors or cryptic error messages. Blocks physically connect only in valid ways. The result: millions of young people learning programming fundamentals through creative expression.
Fast facts
- Developer: MIT Media Lab.
- Lead: Mitchel Resnick.
- First public version: 2007.
- Scratch 3.0: 2019, web-based.
- Users: tens of millions registered.
- Community: shared projects, remixing encouraged.
Block-based programming
How Scratch teaches:
- Visual blocks: snap together like puzzle pieces.
- Categories: motion, looks, sound, events, control.
- No syntax errors: blocks only connect validly.
- Immediate feedback: see results instantly.
Educational impact
Scratch’s influence on learning:
- Age range: designed for 8-16, used broader.
- Curriculum integration: used in schools worldwide.
- Computational thinking: teaches logic without text.
- Creative expression: emphasis on personal projects.