ERIC Number: ED579193
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Apr
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
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EISSN: N/A
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RunJumpCode: An Educational Game for Educating Programming
Hinds, Matthew; Baghaei, Nilufar; Ragon, Pedrito; Lambert, Jonathon; Rajakaruna, Tharindu; Houghton, Travers; Dacey, Simon
International Association for Development of the Information Society, Paper presented at the International Association for Development of the Information Society (IADIS) International Conference on Mobile Learning (13th, Budapest, Hungary, Apr 10-12, 2017)
Programming promotes critical thinking, problem solving and analytic skills through creating solutions that can solve everyday problems. However, learning programming can be a daunting experience for a lot of students. "RunJumpCode" is an educational 2D platformer video game, designed and developed in Unity, to teach players the fundamental concepts of C# programming. The game enhances the player's programming knowledge by providing a fun range of challenges and puzzles to solve. We promoted the interaction of programming through a "Code Box", allowing players to enter lines of predefined code that modifies in-game objects. This tool is essential in completing the challenges and puzzles we designed. To allow alterations of its properties, we made further manipulation of each object possible, which would give the player creative freedom to complete each level. Quizzes and journals were utilized to assess and collate their learnt material for future reference. In addition, we created a mobile application to track each player's statistics throughout the game and compare their progress with other users. A full evaluation study has been planned, the goal of which is to examine the effect of using the system on students' learning. [For the complete proceedings, see ED579190.]
Descriptors: Educational Games, Video Games, Computer Science Education, Programming, Programming Languages, Instructional Design, High School Students, Undergraduate Students
International Association for the Development of the Information Society. e-mail: secretariat@iadis.org; Web site: http://www.iadisportal.org
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
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Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A