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The Effect of Simulation Games on Learning Computer Programming: A Comparative Study on High School Students' Learning Performance by Assessing Computational Problem-Solving Strategies

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Title: The Effect of Simulation Games on Learning Computer Programming: A Comparative Study on High School Students' Learning Performance by Assessing Computational Problem-Solving Strategies
Language: English
Authors: Pellas, Nikolaos (ORCID 0000-0002-3071-6275), Vosinakis, Spyridon (ORCID 0000-0003-1735-4297)
Source: Education and Information Technologies. Nov 2018 23(6):2423-2452.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 30
Publication Date: 2018
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Descriptors: Computer Games, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Problem Based Learning, High School Students, Programming, Computer Simulation, Teaching Methods, Program Effectiveness
DOI: 10.1007/s10639-018-9724-4
ISSN: 1360-2357
Abstract: Computer games are quickly gaining momentum by enabling new approaches to teaching and learning experience for programming courses in K-12 curriculum. However, it remains unclear if the game interface and elements created by using three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds combined with visual programming languages or a visual programming environment can affect students' learning performance. This quasi-experimental study presents evidence about how a game can assist boys and girls to gain a greater understanding on skills related to CT for developing, implementing and transforming their solution plans into code based on their computational problem-solving strategies. A total of fifty (n = 50) high school students who volunteered to participate in this study divided into a control group (n = 25) and an experimental (n = 25) group that used Scratch and OpenSim with the Scratch4SL palette, respectively to propose their solutions for the same problem-solving tasks via a simulation game. The study findings indicate substantial differences and important points of view about students' learning performance by assessing their computational problem-solving strategies. Students from the experimental group performed significantly better both in measures of problem-solving and algorithmic thinking. Mean scores on post-questionnaires from the experimental group revealed improvements higher than their control group counterparts in two aspects. First, students of the former group created more complete computational instructions with rules to be specified and delivered the learning goals. Second, students of the same group proposed and applied more correct computational concepts and practices in code. Finally, this study discusses the implications for designing learning experiences using OpenSim with Scratch4SL.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 43
Entry Date: 2018
Accession Number: EJ1192465
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The Effect of Simulation Games on Learning Computer Programming: A Comparative Study on High School Students' Learning Performance by Assessing Computational Problem-Solving Strategies
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pellas%2C+Nikolaos%22">Pellas, Nikolaos</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3071-6275">0000-0002-3071-6275</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vosinakis%2C+Spyridon%22">Vosinakis, Spyridon</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1735-4297">0000-0003-1735-4297</externalLink>)
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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  Data: Computer games are quickly gaining momentum by enabling new approaches to teaching and learning experience for programming courses in K-12 curriculum. However, it remains unclear if the game interface and elements created by using three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds combined with visual programming languages or a visual programming environment can affect students' learning performance. This quasi-experimental study presents evidence about how a game can assist boys and girls to gain a greater understanding on skills related to CT for developing, implementing and transforming their solution plans into code based on their computational problem-solving strategies. A total of fifty (n = 50) high school students who volunteered to participate in this study divided into a control group (n = 25) and an experimental (n = 25) group that used Scratch and OpenSim with the Scratch4SL palette, respectively to propose their solutions for the same problem-solving tasks via a simulation game. The study findings indicate substantial differences and important points of view about students' learning performance by assessing their computational problem-solving strategies. Students from the experimental group performed significantly better both in measures of problem-solving and algorithmic thinking. Mean scores on post-questionnaires from the experimental group revealed improvements higher than their control group counterparts in two aspects. First, students of the former group created more complete computational instructions with rules to be specified and delivered the learning goals. Second, students of the same group proposed and applied more correct computational concepts and practices in code. Finally, this study discusses the implications for designing learning experiences using OpenSim with Scratch4SL.
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