Most learn-to-code initiatives do not support this type of creative expression. In many introductory coding activities, students are asked to program the movements of a virtual character navigating through a set of obstacles toward a goal. This approach can help students learn some basic coding concepts, but it doesn’t allow them to express themselves creatively — or develop a long-term engagement with coding. It’s like offering a writing class that teaches only grammar and punctuation without providing students a chance to write their own stories. With Scratch, our goal is for young people to become fluent with coding — not only learning the mechanics and concepts of coding, but also developing their own voice and their ability to express their ideas.
Mitchel Resnick - Scratch: A Different Approach to Coding — Bright — Medium
this is exactly why I have championed Scratch, Hopscotch, and the now shuttered Stagecast Creator.
