Design and Large-scale Evaluation of Educational Games for Teaching Sorting Algorithms

Battistella, Paulo Eduardo; Wangenheim, Christiane Gresse von; Wangenheim, Aldo von; Martina, Jean Everson

doi:10.15388/infedu.2017.08

Cited by 20 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The university guidelines for undergraduate computer science curricula from ACM and IEEE (2013) include the following topics, which we suggest for game-based learning in primary and secondary education and which have already been successfully implemented in games: basic principles of machine learning ( Wallace et al, 2008 ; Stöckl, 2019 ), algorithms and complexity ( Hong and Kung, 1981 ; Battistella et al, 2017 ), information theory ( Greeff et al, 2017 ), and computer architecture ( Tlili et al, 2016 ). In mathematics education, the majority of learning games focus on numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability ( Byun and Joung, 2018 ).…”

Section: Digital Game-based Learning Research: Current Practice and Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Learning Games for Mathematics and Computer Science Education: The Need for Preregistered RCTs, Standardized Methodology, and Advanced Technology

Bertram

2020

Front. Psychol.

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In today's digital information society, mathematical and computational skills are becoming increasingly important. With the demand for mathematical and computational literacy rising, the question of how these skills can be effectively taught in schools is among the top priorities in education. Game-based learning promises to diversify education, increase students' interest and motivation, and offer positive and effective learning experiences. Especially digital game-based learning (DGBL) is considered an effective educational tool for improving education in classrooms of the future. Yet, learning is a complex psychological phenomenon and the effectiveness of digital games for learning cannot be taken for granted. This is partly due to a diversity of methodological approaches in the literature and partly due to theoretical and practical considerations. We present core elements of psychological theories of learning and derive arguments for and against DGBL and non-DGBL. We discuss previous literature on DGBL in mathematics education from a methodological point of view and infer the need for randomized controlled trials for effectiveness evaluations. To increase comparability of empirical results, we propose methodological standards for future educational research. The value of multidisciplinary research projects to advance the field of DGBL is discussed and a synergy of Affective Computing and Optimal Experimental Design (OED) techniques is proposed for the implementation of adaptive technologies in digital learning games. Finally, we make suggestions for game content, which would be suitable for preparing students for university-level mathematics and computer science education, and discuss the potential limitations of DGBL in the classroom.

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Section: Digital Game-based Learning Research: Current Practice and Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Learning Games for Mathematics and Computer Science Education: The Need for Preregistered RCTs, Standardized Methodology, and Advanced Technology

Bertram

2020

Front. Psychol.

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“…All these games addressed both the cognitive and emotional axes during their development (Malliarakis et al, 2014). Battistella et al (2017) introduced three educational games in data structure course for teaching Quicksort and Heapsort. They concluded that such educational games can contribute positively to the learning outcomes and increase the students' motivation in the course.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching Problem Solving Skills using an Educational Game in a Computer Programming Course

Mathew¹,

Malik²,

Tawafak³

2019

Informatics in Education

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Problem solving skills are considered an important component in learning to program in an introductory programming (IP) course for novices. This study introduced a PROSOLVE game to enhance problem solving skills of novice programmers in the introductory programming course. The game is based on pseudo-code technique. A survey was employed to collect students' feedback and semi-structured interviews were organized to collect instructors' opinion about the game. The results show that the game helped most of the students in understanding the programming concepts, structures and problem solving strategies. Moreover, the game supports students' cognitive engagement, gains, and affective engagement in the IP course. Instructors appreciated the game and considered it as an additional supporting teaching tool in the IP course. Moreover, they considered the game as good alternative of traditional pen and paper learning approach in attracting students' interest in the programming domain.

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“…Learning of sorting algorithms is an essential topic in the Data Structure course for Computing Science students in universities [1]. Novice students usually find it challenging to understand the topics and relevant algorithms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of learning games as education activities to augment the teaching of topics on algorithms and Data Structure course has been found to be effective in improving the understanding of the learners [14]. The educational games are reported for teaching the sorting algorithms: quicksort and heapsort with 23 applications of the games in the Data Structures course [1]. An online game for simulation of the execution steps is presented to teach the Heapsort sorting algorithm in the data structure course [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualize and Learn Sorting Algorithms in Data Structure Subject in a Game-based Learning

Lim

Cai

Yao

et al. 2022

2022 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality Adjunct (ISMAR-Adjunct)

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The Data Structure subject is an essential Computer Science subject. Sorting algorithms are important topics in Data Structure where students are expected to learn how various sorting algorithms work and their time complexities. Some sorting algorithms may easily cause confusions to novice students, as they usually find it challenging to understand and memorize these algorithms. There is a need to find a means of technology enhanced learning to improve the learning process of students. Game based learning is a pedagogy where students learn through game playing. This mode of learning could effectively engage students to focus on the learning topics more efficiently. The study uses a sorting algorithm serious game to allow students to learn four types of sorting algorithms: Bubble sort, Selection sort, Insertion sort and Quick sort. The students would carry out self-directed learning lecture materials in the serious game, followed by refreshing their learning using a visualizer, and lastly reinforce their learning through playing a sorting serious game. Two groups of students participate in the experiment, a control group and an experiment group. The experiment group that sues the sorting algorithm games achieves better results, compared to the control group who learns without the serious game. Gamebased learning provides a positive learning experience to the students that could improve the learning effectiveness. Coupled with technology such as VR headsets as a future upgrade, it would be a niche factor that would create an immersive learning experience to engage the students and enhance their learning in a virtual environment.

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Design and Large-scale Evaluation of Educational Games for Teaching Sorting Algorithms

Cited by 20 publications

References 27 publications

Digital Learning Games for Mathematics and Computer Science Education: The Need for Preregistered RCTs, Standardized Methodology, and Advanced Technology

Digital Learning Games for Mathematics and Computer Science Education: The Need for Preregistered RCTs, Standardized Methodology, and Advanced Technology

Teaching Problem Solving Skills using an Educational Game in a Computer Programming Course

Visualize and Learn Sorting Algorithms in Data Structure Subject in a Game-based Learning

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