mBlock

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CertifiedEducation quality
02/2022
mBlock

mBlock

Makeblock Education
Programming
The open-source educational coding platform that grows with the student

mBlock is a coding platform designed to provide an enhanced educational experience for every student. They can begin with block-based programming and develop their skills until they are able to master Python language, all within the same platform.

In addition to learning these widely-used programming languages, students can take advantage of the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as Machine Learning or the Internet of Things, as well as the possibility to go beyond the digital environment and program many different devices.

Available both for tablet and computer, mBlock makes STEAM education become more meaningful and engaging.

Age groups 
Elementary
Middle school
High School
Tertiary Education
Languages 
Multilingual
Platform 
Browser-based
Desktop Windows
Desktop Mac
Mobile Android
Mobile iOS
Other
Registration 
Not required
Offline play 
Playable offline
Pictures
Pedagogy
Educational Quality
Learning Goals

The pedagogical analysis covers how the product supports learning of the identified skills. The student’s role is assessed by four contrary pair parameters, which are selected to cover the most essential aspects on the use of the product.

Passive
Active
mBlock's programming tasks require active participation and learning by doing. The environment has plenty of options; and is especially effective when programming hardware since solving programming problems and getting direct feedback from the device is very satisfying and highly motivational. Makeblock provides pre-curated materials, projects and demonstrations for learners. The coding community lets the learners exhibit their own works, and provides inspiration and real references for them.
Rehearse
Construct
When learning with mBlock, learning is based on creating programs yourself and looking for inspiration from others. The software is very versatile, and supports moving from device to device or using the browser solution. The accompanying material focus on creating one's own ideas, and the topics of example projects are interesting and link to real life. Teachers can therefore utilize them when teaching about various subjects.
Linear
Non-linear/Creative
Learning with mBlock feels very unrestricted - there are multiple levels of projects available, and the supported hardware ranges from very simple to very complex topics involving AI, use of data and IoT sensors. Therefore it is up to the teacher and learner to define what kind of projects to take on, and where to start. The mBlock mobile version has a "Learn" mode for younger kids using eg. Codey Rocky.
Individual
Collaborative
Programming is a skill most naturally learned by doing, and always requires some individual effort. However, Makeblock also allows the sharing of code and learning outcomes. The programs can be synced across devices and you can is always share your projects on the platform.

The Finnish Educational Quality Certificate

Our Quality Evaluation Method is an academically sound approach to evaluating a product’s pedagogical design from the viewpoint of educational psychology.

The method has been developed with university researchers and all evaluators are carefully selected Finnish teachers with a master's degree in education.

More about the evaluation