Hello! Today we are going to continue the series of blog posts about block programming, in particular, today we will discover block loops. Throughout the article we will be able to learn the properties of loops and the advantages they bring to programming. To do this, we will use the “Loops” activity from our Smile and Learn educational platform. p643q
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WHAT IS PROGRAMMING
Have you ever wondered how a computer works? We might think that it is an incomprehensible machine but, in reality, it has a very simple operation.
Programming is the language of technology and machines, but it is a very special language because we teach it to them.but it is a very special language because we teach it to them. Imagine you build a robot, assemble its parts and put it on the floor, but it doesn’t move. That robot needs us to teach it how to work, so we have to program it, that is, give you orders or instructions. To understand it better, read on!
LOOP BLOCKS
In the entry on block programming we learned that each block contains a different command, condition or event.
This brings us to a new type of block: the loop. This block allows us to repeat an action until the condition we set is met. There are different types of loops, but in our activity we will use the “for loop”, which allows us to repeat a sequence of movements a certain number of times.
LOOPING ACTIVITY
To understand it better, see in this example what happens to the girl when we send to theprogramming board a loop with a sequence of different movements.
As you can see, when we create the loop we select how many times we want it to repeat. Then, we introduce the movements inside. Very useful, isn’t it?
But we do not appear to have solved the activity, i.e., we have not met the programming objective. The girl has to mow the grass in the picture, let’s look at it more carefully.
If you look, there are 5 blocks of grass in front of the girl. It would be as easy as inserting five forward blocks on the board, but there is only room for four blocks. Therefore, we need a loop, which counts as a single block. The correct answer then, would be to move forward 5 times.
USEFULNESS FOR PROGRAMMING
Loop blocks allow us to use fewer blocks on the programming boards, in addition to saving repeated block sequences. Using the least number of blocks when programming is very important because it helps us to avoid errors. In addition, being efficient is one of the keys to being a great programmer.
WHAT ELSE CAN I LEARN?
If you liked the “Loops” activity, you can continue your learning with the next entries next entries of the blog on block programming. Specifically, we will learn about the conditional blocks. You will love it!
We remind you that you can try our
Smile and Learn educational platform
by requesting a
free demo
without commitment here. You will be able to discover all the activities, games and interactive stories it contains. We are waiting for you!
Sandra Fernandez
Smile and Learn pedagogical team
