Wonder Workshop Blockly
Wonder Workshop Blockly is a visual programming app that lets children create programs for the Dash robot through coding challenges, puzzles, and creative pr…
What Wonder Workshop Blockly is
Wonder Workshop Blockly is a visual programming app that lets children create programs for the Dash robot through coding challenges, puzzles, and creative projects. Its drag-and-drop interface introduces sequencing, loops, sensors, events, functions, variables, and conditionals. The product is described as suitable for children as young as six. Blockly is available on iOS, Android, and Chrome; the free tier requires a physical Dash robot. A paid Make Wonder account adds Virtual Dash in Blockly on iOS and Chrome. Teachers with a Free Tier account or above can track student progress through Blockly Puzzles, including when students share devices. Blockly Pro, available on Chrome with a paid subscription, helps learners move from block coding to JavaScript while programming Dash. The apps do not require internet for use, but downloading requires internet, and Class Connect and web versions need an active connection. Plans include a free tier and paid options, including STEM Homeschool at $125 a year.
Good
- Introduces coding concepts through puzzles and projects.
- Available on iOS, Android, and Chrome.
- Teachers can track student puzzle progress.
- Apps can be used without an internet connection.
- Blockly Pro supports a transition to JavaScript.
Watch out
- The free tier requires a physical Dash robot.
- Class Connect and web versions require an active connection.
- Blockly Pro requires a paid subscription.
Who it suits
Blockly suits children learning coding concepts through projects and puzzles, as well as teachers tracking puzzle progress. The free tier is for users with a physical Dash robot; a paid account adds Virtual Dash on iOS and Chrome.
Verdict
Blockly offers a visual, challenge-based way for children to program Dash and encounter core coding concepts. Check the robot requirement and plan access before choosing between the free tier and paid options.
Plans and prices
From Wonder Workshop Blockly's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Free | Up to 35 students · 1 teacher · 1 classroom · Blockly puzzle tracking · Requires a physical Dash robot |
| District | Priced on request | Custom district solution |
| STEM Homeschool | $125 a year | Up to 5 students · 1 teacher/parent · 1 classroom · Virtual Dash in Blockly · Blockly Pro · Requires Dash for Blockly Pro · Year |
| STEM Classroom | $199 a year | Up to 35 students · 1 teacher · 1 classroom · Virtual Dash · Blockly Pro with JavaScript & Python · Clever integration listed for School plan, not this plan · Year |
| STEM Center | $1,495 a year | Up to 300 students · Up to 3 teachers · All classrooms · Virtual Dash · Blockly Pro with JavaScript & Python · Year |
| School | $2,495 a year | All students at one school · 5 teachers · All classrooms with sharing · Dedicated customer success representative · Clever integration · Year |
The facts
Each one read from Wonder Workshop Blockly's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Blockly Pro
- Blockly Pro is available on Chrome with a paid Make Wonder subscription and supports transition from block coding to JavaScript while programming Dash.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Child safety
- Wonder Workshop states that it does not collect personal information about children under 13 through its apps or connected software without parental consent.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Classroom progress
- With a Make Wonder Free Tier account or above, teachers can track student progress through Blockly Puzzles, including when students share devices.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Dash requirement
- The Free Tier requires a physical Dash robot, while a paid Make Wonder account provides Virtual Dash in Blockly on iOS and Chrome.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Integration
- The pricing page lists Clever integration with the School plan.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Intended learners
- The product page describes Blockly as introducing coding concepts to children as young as 6.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Internet use
- The maker’s help page says Blockly apps do not require internet to use, but downloading requires internet and Class Connect and web versions require an active connection.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Languages
- Blockly supports English, French, German, Korean, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese on supported platforms; Kindle Fire supports English only.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Learning concepts
- The app introduces sequencing, loops, sensors and events, functions, variables, and conditionals through creative projects and puzzles.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Privacy
- Wonder Workshop says Blockly and its other connected apps are downloaded to compatible devices and store user behavior such as puzzle progress locally via cookies.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Blockly lets children make programs for the Dash robot using coding challenges and a drag-and-drop visual programming interface.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Security
- The trust page describes commercially reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards and says it cannot guarantee perfect security.checked 3 Oct 2001
- Support
- The maker provides a help and support center and directs users with device compatibility questions to its customer support team.checked 3 Oct 2001
The company
- Headquarters
- 1420 Celebration Blvd, Ste 200, Celebration, FL 34747, USAchecked 28 Sep 2001
Where it runs
- Supported platforms
- Blockly is available on iOS, Android, and Chrome; the compatibility page lists iOS 12+, Android 6+ with Bluetooth LE, and Chrome on Mac, PC, or Chromebook with Bluetooth LE.checked 3 Oct 2001
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