Activity
Announcing OctoStudio: A block-based programming app
Imagine what you can create with accessible block-based coding app!
OctoStudio is a new block-based coding app that enables students to make simple animations and games using characters and sounds that they choose. OctoStudio was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at MIT Media Lab and is available for free on iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones and tablets.
OctoStudio is a fun creative tool designed for students ages 7 and up to learn to create interactive projects by tinkering with code blocks, while developing their creativity and problem-solving skills. OctoStudio is a mainstream app that has been designed for all students – including students who are low vision and students who use a screen reader.
Background
OctoStudio is similar in some ways to the Scratch coding environment; both are visual programming languages which use coding blocks that can be snapped together to make characters move, play sounds, interact, and more. One of the original Scratch founders, Natalie Rusk, is the research scientist who has been leading the development of OctoStudio. The creators of OctoStudio understand that Scratch is not accessible to students who use screen readers and have diligently worked – and continue to work – to make OctoStudio as accessible as possible.
Helpful OctoStudio Words
- Sprite: In OctoStudio, a sprite is a character or object you can code to move, play sounds, speak, and more. To create a project, you choose an animal, person, ball, or anything else to be a sprite.
- Backdrop: A backdrop is an image that sets the scene in an OctoStudio project. Your sprites appear in front of the backdrop on the Stage.
- Stage: The rectangular area where sprites visually move and interact and the backdrops show up. The Stage is located near the top of the OctoStudio project editor.
- Coding Blocks: You use coding blocks to tell your sprites what to do (such as move or play sounds). The coding blocks are shaped like LEGO bricks that snap together from top to bottom. The blocks are rectangular-shaped, with a notch at the top and a bump at the bottom.
- Script or Stack: A script is a set of blocks that are connected together in a vertical stack. You can begin each script with a “when” block to tell it when to start running.
Getting Started with OctoStudio
Excited to get started? Linda Coccovizzoan assistive technology instructor who has been one of the lead accessibility advisors for the project, has created a quick video demonstrating OctoStudio on an iPhone running VoiceOver.
In order to better understand the video, it is helpful to know the layout of the screen. The app is played in portrait mode. This video starts with creating a new project by choosing a sprite and backdrop, and then goes to the project editor screen.
At the top of the project editor is a toolbar. Below the toolbar is the Stage, a visual image of the sprite on the backdrop. When the script is played, this is where your creation comes to life and the sprite will become animated! Next is a menu; if you have chosen multiple sprites, there will also be a sprite menu and tools for editing the selected sprite.
The main area of the screen is the Coding Area. Drag in and snap blocks together to code your sprite.
The bottom of the screen contains the Blocks Palette. The top row contains the blocks which can be dragged up to the Coding area. Below the blocks are the seven categories of blocks. The blocks are organized into seven categories or tabs: When to start, Motion, Words and sounds, Scene, Colors and light, Control, and More blocks.
OctoPlay video
Accessibility
OctoStudio is designed for iPhones and Android smartphones and is compatible with VoiceOver and TalkBack. OctoStudio can also be played on an iPad or Android tablet. Designed for kids, the app in general has many blocks that incorporate motivating, unique sounds. On smartphones, the app also provides haptic feedback for the “buzz” coding block.
Accessible
- The buttons are accessible with a screen reader.
- Drag-and-drop is fully accessible, including announcing the block that is being hovered over before stacking.
- Students can drag or swipe over the Stage to hear the backdrop and sprite name announced. This visual image can be enlarged to be a full screen image, making it easier for students with low vision to see.
- Standard screen reader earcons are included, such as the iOS triple tone when a block is selected and ready to be dragged.
- Additional sonification has been added to assist a visually impaired student to understand what is happening.
- Example 1: A “whoosh” sound is heard initially when the block is being dragged.
- Example 2: When the stack is activated a “boing” sound is made when the Jump block is played and the sprite jumps or a “dial clicking” sound is made when the Turn block is played and the sprite turns.
Not accessible
- Not all app features or games/activities that can be created using the app can be made accessible due to the visual nature of the images.
- The menu items within a block are not currently accessible with a screen reader. These features are planned to be available for screen readers in later versions.
- Example: The turn block has 3 menu options that can be changed: the angle, direction, and speed of the turn. Currently when the screen reader is on, these options within the block are not announced and cannot be changed yet.
Resources
- OctoStudio in the App Store (iPhone or iPad)
- OctoStudio in the Google Play Store (Android phones or tablets)
- OctoStudio website
- OctoStudio on Facebook (Looking for activity ideas with step-by-step creation instructions? Check out the video clips on Facebook!)
by Diane Brauner, 11/3/23
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