This paper presents a web system to generate programming games for primary school children, with the objective to teach basic programming concepts. It also reviews five existing games with the same purpose, which use either block-based or text-based programming languages. A comparative analysis of the games is provided, based on some important features, such as the presence of a levels map, the use of a block or text language, the presence of a result screen, the presentation of the shortest and previous solutions, among others. The web system is divided into two main parts: the game generator that is used by teachers to create new programming games, and the programming games themselves that are played by students.
This paper presents BlockCode, a web application developed to create board games that support the learning of computer programming logic. The goal of the games created with BlockCode is to move a bunny around a board using block-based programming in order to collect all the carrots that are placed on the board. In every game, the bunny has to deal with obstacles, represented by rocks and holes, which have to be avoided using the commands available. BlockCode was designed for teachers and students: teachers can create games, specifying the arrangement of the boards; and students play the games, specifying the sequence of commands with the aim of collecting all the carrots.
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