ERIC Number: EJ1370257
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0899 3408
EISSN: EISSN-1744-5175
Available Date: N/A
Tabletop Games Designed to Promote Computational Thinking
Poole, Frederick J.; Clarke-Midura, Jody; Rasmussen, Melissa; Shehzad, Umar; Lee, Victor R.
Computer Science Education, v32 n4 p449-475 2022
There is a growing perception that computational thinking can be developed in unplugged environments. A recent trend among these unplugged approaches is the use of tabletop games. While there are many commercial tabletop games on the market that are promoted as teaching computer science and/or computational skills, little is known about how these games are supposed to support learning. This study investigates the types of tabletop games that are currently being promoted as teaching computational thinking, who such games are marketed towards, and how game designs could provide opportunities for developing computational thinking. We conducted a content analysis to explore the type of tabletop games currently being created, their audiences, and the kinds of game mechanics and design features being implemented to teach computational thinking concepts. In this study, we created a taxonomy of computational thinking tabletop games that identified three primary categories (e.g. code building, code execution, and puzzle games) . Games that fall into our categories share similar learning claims, target audiences, and game mechanics. Our taxonomy offers a starting place for educators who want to explore the use of tabletop games for introducing computational thinking concepts in unplugged settings, suggestions for designers, and areas of investigation for researchers.
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Games, Computation, Thinking Skills, Problem Solving, Puzzles, Coding, Taxonomy, Manipulative Materials
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: RE3116001316; DRL1837224; 1837224
Author Affiliations: N/A