2.4 Visual Programming

• Meaning of visual programming and visual programming applications
• Types of visual programming applications: educational, multimedia and video games
• Examples: Scratch, Microsoft MakeCode and Sprite Box
• Features: input, processing, output, sound, animations and background
• Terms: syntax, variables, input-output statements, coding, coding blocks, sequence, repeating, selection, variable declarations
• Sequential instructions to solve a problem

• identify types of visual programming applications used in day-to-day life
• explore the features of visual programming applications in a user environment
• create instructions to solve problems using visual programming
• value the importance of visual programming in day-to-day life

“How are computer programs used in day-to-day life?”

The titles are open to everyone. Reading a lesson needs an account — sign in or create one.

1. Meaning of visual programming
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   What visual programming is, what a visual programming application is, and how programs already run daily Kenyan life even before Grade 8 writes blocks.
2. Types of visual programming applications
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Three types to identify: educational, multimedia and video-game visual programming applications, with Kenyan daily examples of each.
3. Scratch, MakeCode and Sprite Box
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Three named visual programming applications: Scratch for sprites on a stage, MakeCode for micro:bit and arcade, Sprite Box for game-like worlds.
4. Feature: input
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Input as a feature of visual programming applications: flags, clicks, keys, ask-and-wait and sensors that bring data into the program.
5. Feature: processing
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Processing as the thinking middle of a visual program: compare, calculate, set a variable, repeat, decide - not yet shown on the stage.
6. Feature: output
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Output as what the user sees or hears: say, move, LED, sound, score - the third IPO feature, completed with a tiny paper or lab stack.
7. Effects: sound, animation and background
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   How sound, animation and background dress output in a visual program, chosen to serve the problem rather than to explode on every quiz.
8. Syntax, coding and coding blocks
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Three terms: coding as writing instructions, coding blocks as the pieces, syntax as the grammar that decides what may snap.
9. Variables and variable declarations
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   A variable as a named box, declaring it as making the box, then setting and changing it so a quiz can remember a score.
10. Input and output statements
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Statements as runnable instructions: ask-and-wait as input, say or show as output, forming a conversation with the user.
11. Sequence statements
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Sequence as the order of instructions: each statement runs next, like a recipe, so swapping two blocks changes the story.
12. Repeat and selection statements
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Repeating as looping a sequence, selection as choosing a sequence with if-else, using a quiz and a drum practice as Kenyan examples.
13. Sequential instructions and why they matter
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Create a two-question quiz sequence a partner could snap, test both paths, and value visual programming because programs already run money, school, stories and games.