Complex game development by freshman computer science majors

Authors:
Tom Goulding;Rita DiTrolio
Affiliations:
Daniel Webster College, Nashua, New Hampshire;Daniel Webster College, Nashua, New Hampshire
Venue:
ACM SIGCSE Bulletin
Year:
2007

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Abstract

This case study reveals Daniel Webster College's experience of increasing enrollments dramatically and igniting student enthusiasm for the computer sciences by combining complex game development with innovative classroom management techniques and non traditional student assessments. In this paper we discuss the classroom methods which favor independent study, cooperative learning and teamwork over lectures and individual achievement. This provides the basis for freshmen computer science majors to experience the pressures and motivations found in the game development industry. Those pressures include mandatory independent study, massive knowledge assimilation, rapid product development and tight schedules developing complex gaming systems. Thus, the cachet of complex game development in C# .NET is exploited, but at the same time the development of core programming skills remains the target goal.