Proposal for a new strategy to practice programming

Abstract

Although first year computer science courses commonly have relatively large class sizes and a high level of initial attendance, they often succumb to unacceptable drop-out rates. Following a similar model to the popular game Brain Age, we propose a database-oriented game system. The system utilizes a "plug-andplay" methodology to allow self-contained puzzles and challenges to be sorted into modules, games, and levels that can be interconnected using an unlock-tree/prerequisite structure. The database configuration allows for a virtually unlimited number of student users as well as differentiation between courses, sections, and years/semesters. To complement the game system, administrative software was also produced that allows the creation and deletion of courses, the enrollment and disenrollment of students, and modifications to the unlock tree. A sample game illustrates what can be accomplished using that strategy.