Mobile game development: improving student engagement and motivation in introductory computing courses

Kurkovsky, Stan

doi:10.1080/08993408.2013.777236

Cited by 38 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The pattern of these results provides strong evidence that the inclusion of GameMaker in the classroom impacted overall attitudes toward computer science. These results are similar to those reported by Kurkovsky [23] who found that students who developed mobile game modules in an introductory CS course showed a higher level of engagement than students who did not develop game modules. We found only one interaction between condition and gender of participant.…”

confidence: 81%

Effect of GameMaker on Student Attitudes and Perceptions of Instructors

Doman

Sleigh²,

Garrison³

2015

IJMECS

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Abstract-Computational thinking including the ability to think critically and solve problems provides benefits for every career path. A positive attitude toward computer science can increase the possibility of students selecting courses that increase computational thinking or pursuing computer science (CS) as a major. This research examined the effect of using GameMaker on the attitudes of students toward computer science (CS) and CS instructors in an introductory CS course. The research consisted of an initial study and a two year longitudinal study. The data was collected using student surveys, qualitative student perceptions, and anonymous teaching evaluations. We hypothesized that students who used GameMaker in their class would show improved attitudes toward CS and would evaluate the instructor more favorably. Our research provides evidence that the incorporation of GameMaker into computer science courses may improve students" short-term attitudes toward computer science and both long-term and shortterm perceptions of the class instructor.

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confidence: 81%

Effect of GameMaker on Student Attitudes and Perceptions of Instructors

Doman

Sleigh²,

Garrison³

2015

IJMECS

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“…Programming real systems gives additional motivation for many students and therefore the natural connection between ICT and mechatronics can benefit the ICT curricula. Kurkovsky (2013) [41] introduced robotics-related material into a mobile computing class and reported that students generally viewed the integration positively. At the introductory level the Lego MindStorm platform and recent popular platforms such as Arduino, Robotic HomeLab and even Raspberry Pi offer good possibilities for integrating ICT knowledge with interdisciplinary applications.…”

Section: ) Interdisciplinary Integrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Interventions to Recruit and Retain ICT Students

Siiman¹,

Pedaste²,

Tõnisson³

et al. 2014

IJMECS

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This article reviews and analyses the educational research literature on interventions to increase the recruitment and retention of information and communications technology (ICT) students. The results show that three changes in computing pedagogy characterize successful interventions, and consequently offer promising ways to attract and prepare more people for careers in ICT. The most important selection criterion considered when choosing papers to review was that interventions had been tested in practice and their effectiveness measured. Interventions were arranged into two groups: recruitment and retention. Recruitment interventions described initiatives to motivate interest in computing among secondary schools students, whereas retention interventions described efforts to retain students in ICT majors at universities. The three pedagogical approaches that emerged from an analysis of the successful interventions were: (1) visual programming environments to teach introductory programming, (2) inquiry learning activities to engage students in computing, and (3) integration of interdisciplinary knowledge to attract students from diverse disciplines. This review draws attention to innovative teaching practices currently shaping computer science education. Wider adoption of these pedagogical strategies has the potential to significantly increase the number of qualified ICT professionals.

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“…Providing an example of a challenging learning activity, Lee, Ko and Kwan [10] embedded assessment into an educational computer game designed to teach programming. In another example, Kurkovsky [9] used mobile game development to motivate and enthuse students in an introductory programming course. These studies all report success in increasing students' participation in the learning activities.…”

Section: Motivations For Improving Student Engagementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initiatives to Increase Engagement in First-Year ICT

Butler

Morgan

Sheard

et al. 2015

Proceedings of the 2015 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education

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There is widespread concern about lack of student engagement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses and the influence of this on learning outcomes, retention, and the student experience overall. Lack of engagement is particularly concerning for first-year students, who are developing their study behaviours for the remainder of their degree programs. This study seeks to report on the myriad of current initiatives in Australian universities to increase ICT student engagement. This is explored for both in-class teaching innovations and the support structures with which students interface academically and administratively. The study draws upon data collected from interviews of 30 academics involved with the design and delivery of the first-year learning experience of ICT students in 25 Australian universities. Analysis of this data has provided a comprehensive overview of current initiatives to address student engagement. These covered a range of academic and non-academic aspects of the student experience. Our findings highlight the unique challenges that our first-year ICT students face and we recommend areas for further investigation.

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Mobile game development: improving student engagement and motivation in introductory computing courses

Cited by 38 publications

References 49 publications

Effect of GameMaker on Student Attitudes and Perceptions of Instructors

Effect of GameMaker on Student Attitudes and Perceptions of Instructors

A Review of Interventions to Recruit and Retain ICT Students

Initiatives to Increase Engagement in First-Year ICT

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