10 Best Scratch Programming Courses and Certifications Online

Scratch programming is a visual programming language designed for children to learn coding concepts in a fun and interactive way. With the increasing importance of coding skills in today’s world, several online courses have emerged, claiming to offer the best Scratch programming courses. These courses aim to teach the basics of programming and computational thinking through interactive multimedia projects. In this article, we will explore some of the best online resources to learn Scratch programming and evaluate their features and benefits.

Here’s a look at the Best Scratch Programming Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

10 Best Scratch Programming Courses and Certifications Online

1. Learn Java programming from scratch, beginner to expert by Yawar Khan (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

Course Title: Learn Java Programming from Scratch, Beginner to Expert

Course Instructors: Yawar Khan

Course Short Description: Complete course on Java programming

This course is designed for individuals who are new to the field of computer programming and are interested in learning Java programming in the most efficient manner possible. The course can benefit students seeking to pass a course or graduates looking to prepare for a job interview.

The course covers a range of topics from the fundamentals of Java programming to advanced techniques. The course content is divided into different sections to make the learning process more organized and structured.

The course covers Java basics, including variables, data types, and control statements. It also covers object-oriented programming concepts, such as classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism. Additionally, the course includes advanced topics such as multithreading, networking, and database connectivity.

Overall, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to Java programming that can benefit individuals with varying levels of experience in the field.

2. Create a PHP Login and Registration System From Scratch 2020 by Kalob Taulien (Udemy)

The “Create a PHP Login and Registration System From Scratch 2020” course, instructed by Kalob Taulien, offers a comprehensive guide to building a complete login and registration system for websites. The course covers PHP, MySQL, JavaScript (jQuery and Ajax), and Git (using GitHub), and includes lessons on creating a members-only page, creating classes from basic functions, and securing database connections using PDO.

The course covers advanced concepts that a typical “build a login system” course may not teach. Students will learn how to use JavaScript and jQuery to create an Ajax request to register and login users, how to code a full login system, with registration, logout and member-only access pages, and how to create Classes from basic functions.

All the code is available on GitHub for viewing and downloading after each lesson. The course also includes lessons on security and password protection, and tips on what to build next on your own.

Upon completing the course, students will have the skill to implement login systems in every website they design in the future. The course is designed for learners who want to learn how to code their own login system from scratch.

3. Physical Computing with Scratch using Raspberry Pi by Venkatesh Varadachari, Kamesh Dkr (Udemy)

This course, titled “Physical Computing with Scratch using Raspberry Pi,” is instructed by Venkatesh Varadachari and Kamesh Dkr. It focuses on the Scratch programming language with Raspberry Pi, specifically the ScratchGPIO project, which allows for control and sensing of the Pi’s low-level GPIO pins. Through this course, learners will gain the ability to interact with the physical world using a simple and accessible programming framework.

Scratch is an easy-to-learn programming framework that has been successful in both young children and adult learning. Its association with the Raspberry Pi and focus on education has made it a perfect match. The ScratchGPIO project enhances the Scratch package to support a variety of electronic and robotic components such as LCD screens, motors, and sensors.

The ScratchGPIO package allows even beginner programmers to interact with the physical world through the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins. This course will guide learners on how to use Scratch Programming Language with the Raspberry Pi. It is ideal for those who want to explore the possibilities of physical computing with Raspberry Pi using ScratchGPIO.

The GPIO pins on a Raspberry Pi provide a way to interface with physical devices like resistors and sensors with Scratch. This course requires basic knowledge of Scratch, and learners will learn how to install the ScratchGPIO package, assemble easy-to-use breadboard circuits, and experiment with Scratch and GPIO control for both input and output.

Through this course, learners will create a game that will serve as an example and basis for modification. As the ScratchGPIO project continues to develop, there will be new opportunities for Raspberry Pi robotics controlled by Scratch. The curriculum includes 21 sections ranging from basic configuration and LED lighting to game consoles and candy dispensers.

Overall, this course provides learners with the ability to program physical computing with the Raspberry Pi and Scratch, enhancing their development skills and knowledge of electronics.

4. Hands-on Scratch Programming and Game Development by Osama Ali (Udemy)

This course, titled “Hands-on Scratch Programming and Game Development” is designed to teach programming and game development to students with little to no prior knowledge. The course is delivered by instructor Osama Ali, and is designed to be a comprehensive guide for newbies.

The course covers a range of programming concepts and is designed to be accessible to those who are struggling to understand coding concepts in their schools or high schools. Students will be able to understand and apply coding concepts quickly, and the course provides a complete hands-on guide from account creation to game development.

Concepts of coding blocks are explicitly described in each section of the course, and almost all coding blocks are covered in the scratch 3.0 programming course. Students will learn how to apply the concepts of controls, sensing, functions, variables, mathematical operators, and more in the scratch platform.

The course is designed to be useful for both students and professional instructors, and all lectures contain step-by-step optimized guides to understand the functionality of coding blocks, rather than just dragging onto the screen.

The course content is structured into several sections, including “Getting started with Scratch 3.0,” “Getting started with Scratch Programming Blocks,” “Create Maze Finder Game Challenge,” “Develop Striker/Pong Game,” “Design and Develop Flappy Bird Game,” “Hissing Snake (Arcade) Game,” and finally, “Scratch Extension Blocks” and “Congratulations.

5. Scratch 3.0 for Teachers | Teach Coding with Games & Scratch by Dr. Chris Mall • 30,000+ Students Worldwide (Udemy)

The course “Scratch 3.0 for Teachers | Teach Coding with Games & Scratch” is designed for teachers who want to incorporate game development and coding principles into their curriculum. The course includes lesson plans and activities that are ready to use in the classroom. Students will learn how to develop 11 different games, including the Arcade Arkanoid Game, using Scratch 3.0. Scratch 3.0 is an educational programming environment that has an easy graphical interface, allowing users to drag and drop blocks of coding.

Scratch 3.0 is a free programming language and online community that allows students to create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. Scratch was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab to help children learn to utilize their imaginations, practice common sense, and interact with computers. With Scratch, students can create online projects and develop them into almost anything by using a simple block-like interface.

This course is suitable for anyone interested in learning to code or teaching beginning programming as a career or business. It is also for those who already know how to code and want to learn from Scratch Programming and build some fun games. The course covers a range of topics, including teaching sequential programming, if statements, loops, variables, geometry, informatics, algebra, and advanced programming concepts. The bonus section includes a download of all the games in Scratch 3.0 completed.

The course is divided into sections, starting with an introduction to coding with Scratch 3.0, followed by teaching sequential programming, if-statements, loops, and combining if-statements and loops to create the Scary Shark Game. The course then covers teaching variables, geometry, informatics, and algebra. The final two sections cover teaching coding with two more games, the Garbage Game and the Great “Snake” Game, and from game development in Scratch 3.0 to real coding.

6. Full Scratch 3.0 Programming Course: Beginner to Advanced by Nate C (Udemy)

The Full Scratch 3.0 Programming Course: Beginner to Advanced is a comprehensive and interactive course designed to teach universal programming concepts through block-based programming. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this course starts with the basics of computer programming and progressively increases in difficulty, while reinforcing previously learned material through interactive activities. By the end of the course, students will have a strong programming vocabulary and expert-level knowledge in block-based programming.

Not only is this course a good starting place for kids and a great way to introduce software development to a technology class, but it also equips students with the necessary knowledge to pursue advanced app development, game development, or web development. The course is designed to be as comprehensive, interactive, and reinforcing as possible, with every core concept presented thoroughly explained, and external resources recommended based on personal interests.

The Full Scratch 3.0 Programming Course: Beginner to Advanced includes lifetime access to 20 on-demand, video lectures that can be streamed anywhere, anytime, and hours worth of videos, interactive activities, and hands-on projects. Students will develop fluency in Scratch 3.0 and a strong grasp of many universal software development concepts. Additionally, they will gain the ability to develop 2D/3D games and graphic design skills.

The course is organized into six sections: Introduction, The Basics of Block-Based Computer Programming, Beginner Projects, Intermediate Projects, Advanced Content, and Bonus Content. Overall, the Full Scratch 3.0 Programming Course: Beginner to Advanced provides a comprehensive and interactive learning experience for anyone interested in learning programming concepts through block-based programming.

7. Learn Scratch 2.0 for Kids by Markis Gardner (Udemy)

The “Learn Scratch 2.0 for Kids” course is a video course that teaches children how to program in Scratch 2.0, a programming language created by M.I.T. for kids aged 8-17. The course is structured to be slow and instructive, showing specific examples that can be recreated by the students. Although it is a beginner’s course, it teaches the basics of programming that are needed in a real programming language and can also serve as a foundation for those who want to learn to program for mobile phones. The terminology used in the course is similar to what students would find in their ordinary coursework. The only material necessary for the course is the free software that can be downloaded.

The course can be completed in a week, but it is recommended that it be taken over at least a month to get the most out of it. The students are expected to replicate everything they have learned in the lectures and complete all the quizzes. They are also encouraged to experiment and try their own programs using what they have learned. Although the course is mainly for children aged 8-17, anyone is welcome to take it. It is also recommended for stay-at-home moms and grandparents who want to stay involved with their children or grandchildren.

The course is structured as a series of videos explaining the “functions” of Scratch. The course offers a good start for becoming a computer programmer, as it introduces the student to many new concepts instead of jumping straight into the deep end of the lake. Scratch teaches basic programming concepts, such as what to do when two objects hit each other, what to do when an object hits a wall or reaches a certain point, and other basic things that every programmer needs to know and understand. After completing the course, the student will be ready to move on to more robust programming languages.

The “Learn Scratch 2.0 for Kids” course is an excellent choice for children who want to get a good start in programming.

8. Learn to code with Scratch Programming for Everybody by Andrew Schlegel (Udemy)

This course, titled “Learn to code with Scratch Programming for Everybody,” is designed to teach coding using Scratch, a program developed by MIT. It is suitable for anyone interested in learning to code, from kids to adults. The course offers three levels of programming, from beginner to advanced. The focus is on teaching programming concepts, with an emphasis on moving to Python programming. Aspiring programmers will develop skills such as manipulating variables, using operators, understanding control flow, and creating reusable chunks of code. The course is taught by Andrew Schlegel, a university programming instructor with over 20 years of experience in programming.

Scratch programming is different from traditional programming in that it allows users to create animated graphics and sound in just a few minutes, simply by dragging blocks around. This makes it easy to focus on programming concepts and quickly create programs. Scratch is an amazing learning tool that is super fun to use.

The course is suitable for anyone interested in teaching beginning programming as a career or business. It is also great for anyone who already knows how to code and wants to learn from Scratch programming to build some fun games. Scratch programming is an excellent way to introduce children to programming, and it is becoming a big business. This course is perfect for anyone who wants to start their own coding academy or school or become an instructor.

Aspiring programmers who learn Scratch programming will develop a range of coding and problem-solving skills that will be useful when they move on to real-world programming. These skills include manipulating variables, using operators, understanding control flow, altering control flow with conditional statements and loops, creating reusable chunks of code, event handling, detecting and responding to real-world input, and simple multimedia programming.

9. Create Fun Games and School Presentations Using Scratch 2.0 by Santanu Das (Udemy)

The Create Fun Games and School Presentations Using Scratch 2.0 course, taught by Santanu Das, is designed for beginners to intermediate learners who want to learn how to teach their children or students basic programming, game creation, and mathematical concepts through Scratch. The course covers basic concepts, tools, and functions needed to build fully functional projects with Scratch. It includes exercises and real-life project examples to enhance learning.

The course begins with a focus on building code using command blocks, using the coordinate system, and programming fundamentals. Suitable for students aged 7+, teachers, and parents, the course moves on to more advanced topics, such as logic controls and dynamic interaction between sprites. Upon completion, learners will have the knowledge to create their own video games, educational tutorials, and presentations using Scratch.

What sets this course apart is the extensive programming background and knowledge of Scratch that the instructor, Santanu Das, possesses. His teaching background allows him to pass on his knowledge in an easy-to-understand format, and the course contains more content and goes deeper into practical examples than others. The course also uses step-by-step examples to help learners understand programming fundamentals, and contains detailed notes and diagrams to enhance learning.

Santanu Das has over 25 years of programming experience in various languages, and has taught programming at MIT. He currently manages over 800 software developers at a large private software company. He has firsthand experience teaching Scratch to 3rd graders, and believes that programming builds a solid foundation for many other disciplines, including music and liberal arts, as well as science, technology, engineering and math.

The course includes over 27 lectures and close to 2.5 hours of content, and explains the fundamentals of programming, command blocks, and the coordinate system. It also contains 4 project examples that can be used to build almost any type of video game/app.

10. Scratch Programming – Basic to Expert by Abdullah Shabbir (Udemy)

This course titled “Scratch Programming – Basic to Expert” is designed to teach programming and game creation in Scratch 3.0. The course is suitable for beginners, parents, and teachers. Developed by MIT, Scratch is a fun way to learn programming. The course covers all code blocks in Scratch, followed by hands-on game creation. The course is the most comprehensive course available on Udemy as it teaches each code block and the difference between them. The lectures and quizzes help students to think logically and write their own code.

The content of the course is designed to be fun, and it teaches how to create animations and games such as Balloon Pop, Shark Attack, Whack a mole, Alien Invaders, Flappy Bird, and many more. The games are handpicked to effectively learn computer science and programming topics while having fun. The course is updated regularly with new content and challenges. It is suitable for parents or teachers who want to teach programming to their children, beginners who want to learn to code games, and anyone new to programming.

The course is divided into sections, including Scratch Basics, Understanding Motion Code Blocks, Sprites in Scratch, Understanding Looks Code Blocks, Understanding Sounds Code Blocks, Understanding Events Code Blocks, Understanding Operators Code Blocks, Understanding Controls Code Blocks, Understanding Sensing Code Blocks, Understanding Variables Code Blocks, Balloon Pop Game – Easy, Paddle Game – Easy, Shark Attack Game – Medium, Ball Attack Game – Medium, Whack a Virus Game – Medium, Dino Rush Game – Medium, Math Game – Hard, Space Invaders Game – Hard, Flappy Bird Game – Hard, and Course Wrap-up.

The course is created by Abdullah Shabbir and updated regularly with new material, quizzes, tips, and tricks that can be used in games and projects. The course is a fun way to learn programming and game creation in Scratch 3.0.