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Enabling Block Coding for Students

Enabling Block Coding for Students

Block Settings allow teachers to turn block coding on or off for students
Kayla Pica avatar
Written by Kayla Pica. Updated over a week ago

Block/Text Settings allows you to toggle blocks for a module, lesson or assignment in one place. You can allow blocks for one section or multiple sections. When blocks are allowed, students can toggle between block and text coding.

Languages Compatible with Blocks

  • Karel in JavaScript

  • HTML

  • Coding in Art, Music, or Sports

Courses with Block Compatible Activities

  • Intro to Computer Science in JavaScript

  • AP Computer Science Principles in JavaScript

  • Computing Ideas

  • Web Design

  • Intro to Programming with Karel

  • [Note: Block Coding not available with CSS]

Adjusting Block Settings

Access block/text settings for a section:

  1. Click into a section

  2. Hover over Course Settings near the top

  3. Select Block/Text Settings

  4. Select the option at the top to toggle blocks for all activities, or

  5. Expand each module, lesson, and activity to toggle blocks:

Setting the module, lesson or assignment to Yes will allow students to use blocks for the assignments selected.

Students Switching Between Blocks and Text Coding:

If blocks are enabled for a section, students have the option to switch between block and code view. From their editor page, they will see a text bar that reads, "Switch to Code View"

Code Editor shows block coding with switch to code view option

Or, "Switch to Block View"

Code editor shows standard code with switch to block view option

If the student would like to change their default settings, they can click on the gear symbol in the upper right hand corner of their editor page. From there they can change the default of their editor to show block view or code view upon opening.

arrow points to settings gear icon in top left of code editor
check mark option allows showing blocks by default

Blocks in the Sandbox

Students can set their Block preferences on their Sandbox programs regardless of the section's settings. If the program type is compatible with Blocks, students can click the gear in the upper-left of their Code Editor and toggle their preference for Block Coding:

Gif shows sandbox code editor with gear icon in upper left

gif shows example of editing code editor options

Allow Blocks for Individual Students

  1. From your roster page, click on the gear icon next to the student's name

  2. Control the settings for modules, lessons, or even specific assignments

  3. If you would like to view less settings, you can select which settings to edit in the top left menu

gif shows clicking on gear icon from roster page to bring up student settings

Still have questions? Contact our team at hello@codehs.com to learn more!

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