Ozobot Classroom vs Wonder Workshop Blockly

Ozobot Classroom is a free K–12 STEAM lesson portal and companion software for Ozobot robots used in schools. Its library offers about 700 standards-aligned lessons across grades K–12 in computer science, math, ELA, science and social-emotional learning. Lessons use screen-free Color Codes or on-screen Ozobot Blockly coding. Teachers can use pacing guides with up to 30 lessons per grade, create and share lessons, and set up and manage devices. Boosted Bluetooth can update up to 18 bots at once. The web application requires no download; teachers use Chromebook, Mac or Windows 10 computers with Chrome or Edge. Students can use Color Codes without a screen or OzoBlockly on a computer or tablet, including iPads and Android tablets. Teachers can share lesson links through Google Classroom or another LMS, but importing rosters through the former Classes feature is no longer available. Ozobot says Classroom is FERPA- and COPPA-compliant, collects no student data and does not allow educators to create student accounts. Bit robots cannot connect to Classroom devices because they are not Bluetooth-enabled, so some features are unavailable with Bit.

Wonder Workshop Blockly is a visual programming app that lets children create programs for the Dash robot using coding challenges, puzzles, and creative projects. Its drag-and-drop interface introduces sequencing, loops, sensors, events, functions, variables, and conditionals, and the product is described as introducing coding to 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 is available on Chrome with a paid subscription and supports a transition from blocks to JavaScript while programming Dash. The apps do not require internet for use, but downloading requires internet, and Class Connect and web versions require an active connection. Listed paid plans include STEM Homeschool at $125 a year and STEM Classroom at $199 a year; the free tier is also listed.