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Using Game Mechanics to Measure What Students Learn from Programming Games

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Title: Using Game Mechanics to Measure What Students Learn from Programming Games
Language: English
Authors: Denner, Jill, Werner, Linda, Campe, Shannon
Source: International Journal of Game-Based Learning. 2014 4(3):13-22.
Availability: IGI Global. 701 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033. Tel: 866-342-6657; Tel: 717-533-8845; Fax: 717-533-8661; Fax: 717-533-7115; e-mail: journals@igi-global.com; Web site: http://www.igi-global.com/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2014
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Junior High Schools
Descriptors: Programming, Educational Games, Early Adolescents, Coding, Middle School Students, Computer Games, Design, Thinking Skills
DOI: 10.4018/ijgbl.2014070102
ISSN: 2155-6849
Abstract: Despite the growing popularity of teaching children to program games, little is known about the benefits for learning. In this article, the authors propose that game mechanics can be used as a window into how the children are thinking and describe a strategy for using them to analyze students' games. The study involved sixty 10-14 year old students in the US who spent 10 hours learning to use the Alice programming environment, and 10 hours designing and creating their games, alone or with a partner. Forty games were coded for five game mechanics that require the programmers to think in ways that are dynamic, time dependent, or complex. The results describe the mechanics that students were most and least likely to use, and how these varied depending on whether students worked with a partner or alone. The findings contribute to efforts to assess what novice programmers learn by creating games.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1111250
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Using Game Mechanics to Measure What Students Learn from Programming Games
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Denner%2C+Jill%22">Denner, Jill</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Werner%2C+Linda%22">Werner, Linda</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Campe%2C+Shannon%22">Campe, Shannon</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Game-Based+Learning%22"><i>International Journal of Game-Based Learning</i></searchLink>. 2014 4(3):13-22.
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  Data: IGI Global. 701 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033. Tel: 866-342-6657; Tel: 717-533-8845; Fax: 717-533-8661; Fax: 717-533-7115; e-mail: journals@igi-global.com; Web site: http://www.igi-global.com/journals
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 10
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Programming%22">Programming</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Games%22">Educational Games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Adolescents%22">Early Adolescents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coding%22">Coding</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Middle+School+Students%22">Middle School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Games%22">Computer Games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Design%22">Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thinking+Skills%22">Thinking Skills</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.4018/ijgbl.2014070102
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  Data: Despite the growing popularity of teaching children to program games, little is known about the benefits for learning. In this article, the authors propose that game mechanics can be used as a window into how the children are thinking and describe a strategy for using them to analyze students' games. The study involved sixty 10-14 year old students in the US who spent 10 hours learning to use the Alice programming environment, and 10 hours designing and creating their games, alone or with a partner. Forty games were coded for five game mechanics that require the programmers to think in ways that are dynamic, time dependent, or complex. The results describe the mechanics that students were most and least likely to use, and how these varied depending on whether students worked with a partner or alone. The findings contribute to efforts to assess what novice programmers learn by creating games.
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        Value: 10.4018/ijgbl.2014070102
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 13
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Programming
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Games
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Early Adolescents
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Coding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Middle School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Games
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      – SubjectFull: Design
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thinking Skills
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Using Game Mechanics to Measure What Students Learn from Programming Games
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            NameFull: Campe, Shannon
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              Y: 2014
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