Design Factors for an Educational Game where Girls and Boys Play Together to Learn Fundamental Programming

Design Factors for an Educational Game where Girls and Boys Play Together to Learn Fundamental Programming

Design Factors for an Educational Game where Girls and Boys Play Together to Learn Fundamental Programming

Peter Mozelius, Niklas Humble

Abstract

"Gaming is a ubiquitous phenomenon today, and game-based learning has become a main stream teaching and learning activity. Despite the long history of using games in educational contexts, the concepts of inclusive game design and enjoyable educational games still have challenges. The aim of this study is to gather requirements for design of educational games on programming where girls and boys find it joyful to play together. To meet this aim, the data sets from two earlier studies have been combined, compared, discussed, and finally merged into a preliminary framework. This study was carried out as a requirement-fo-cused design science study, with a focus on gathering requirements for a future design and implementation of an educational game on fundamental programming. Data were collected in a combination of a scoping literature review, and through a questionnaire answered by elementary school students after playing an educational game on programming. Main themes in the framework for Girl Inclusive Educational Game Design are Exploration Without Violence, Collabora-tive Interaction, Character Diversity, Customisation, Graphics, Game Mechanics, Game Content, and Learning and Motivation. If these factors are thoughtfully considered it could be possible to achieve the idea of a game with Wide Walls, a High Ceiling, and a Low Threshold, where girls and boys could play together and learn how to program."

Reference

Mozelius, P., & Humble, N. (2022, November). Design Factors for an Educational Game where Girls and Boys Play Together to Learn Fundamental Programming. In International Conference on ArtsIT, Interactivity and Game Creation (pp. 134-148). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365615380_Design_Factors_for_an_Educational_Game_where_Girls_and_Boys_Play_Together_to_Learn_Fundamental_Programming

Keywords

game, design, educational