Program wars v.2.0 : improving a game-based learning approach for teaching fundamental programming concepts
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Date
2024
Authors
Tareque, Md. Hasan
Deutekom, Steven
Anvik, John
Bashir, Maimoona
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ACM
Abstract
Game-based learning (GBL) provides an engaging way to introduce
those with limited programming experience to fundamental pro-
gramming concepts, Program Wars uses a GBL approach to teach
fundamental programming concepts using cards that represent in-
structions, loops, variables and methods to create a programming
language-independent program.
This paper introduces Program Wars v.2.0, which improves the
prior implementation in several ways. These changes include the
approach to teaching methods, introducing players to the concepts
of searching and sorting algorithms, and revisions to the gameplay
and UI to improve engagement.
A user study of Program Wars v.2.0 was conducted and shows
that Program Wars v.2.0 is more effective than Program Wars v.1.0 in
teaching the concepts of variables, loops and methods. Specifically,
60% of participants showed knowledge improvements of variables,
56% showed knowledge improvements for loops, and 44% showed
knowledge improvements for methods. Qualitative results show
that Program Wars ’s game-based approach results in an engaging experience for learners.
Description
Open access. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) applies
Keywords
Programming language education , Game-based learning , Serious game , Web application , Cybersecurity education , Cyberthreats , Cyberattacks
Citation
Tareque, M. H., Deutekom, S., Anvik, J., & Bashir, M. (2024 May 2-3). Program Wars v.2.0 : Improving a game-based learning approach for teaching fundamental programming concepts. 26th Western Canadian Conference on Computing Education, Kelowna, B. C., Canada. https://doi.org/10.1145/3660650.3660671