Template Guides for Blockly Keyboard Navigation
Notes:
These resources are intended as templates to create keyboard navigation guidance for your Blockly-based platform. The organization of the documents, the order of the items, the terminology, etc. have been determined by a group of elementary and middle school educators based on their experiences in real classrooms with real students.
The GIFs and screencasts were created using the MakeCode micro:bit interface for demonstration purposes. We created only a few, but on the slides there are suggestions about where they are recommended.
These guides were created for use with a PC. We suggest making a version for Macs as well.
Formats: the more the better!! These templates have been made accessible, so please consider that when editing them. We have amazing partners at Accessible Community who can help check accessibility!
From a teacher “I love when things are in Docs, Slides, etc. so I can edit before pushing them out to students and ensure that everything matches our login processes, devices, etc.”
Reference Materials provide more in depth guidance to using keyboard navigation. GIFs, screencasts, audio and transcripts are linked from the slides (as available). Each topic can be accessed individually or the entire guide can be viewed.
The Quick Guide can be used by educators and students to get started with keyboard navigation.
It is formatted as half pages. This makes it easy for educators to print so that it does not take up too much room in the limited space of many classrooms. The formatting can be adjusted as appropriate to your context.
Reference Materials
Please be in touch with your questions, comments, and suggestions: elissa@codeintheschools.org
Definitions:
Getting Started
The Toolbox and the Workspace
Navigating between the Toolbox and the Workspace —PPT slide
Navigating within the Toolbox — PPT slide — GIF — Screencast— Audio — Transcript
Adding a Block from Toolbox to Workspace - PPT slide - GIF - Screencast - Audio- Transcript
Block Navigation in the Workspace
Navigating Block Stacks PPT slide
Moving from Block to Block PPT slide
Moving from Block Stack to Block Stack PPT slide
Moving a Block in the Workspace PPT slide - GIF - Screencast - Audio - Transcript
Disconnecting and Deleting Blocks- PPT slide
Duplicating Blocks PPT slide
Using Parameters
Accessing Parameters within a Block
Changing Parameters (1)
Changing Parameters (2)
Best Practices when Programming
Tidy up Workspace
Adding Comments to a Block
Adding Comments to the Workspace