Game-themed instructional modules: a video case study

  • Authors:

  • Robin Angotti;Cinnamon Hillyard;Michael Panitz;Kelvin Sung;Keri Marino

  • Affiliations:

  • U. of Washington, Bothell;U. of Washington, Bothell;Cascadia Community College;U. of Washington, Bothell;U. of Washington, Bothell

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

Integration of video games into introductory programming (CS1/2) courses motivates and engages students while contributing to their learning outcomes [17, 1, 2]. However, it is challenging for general faculty members teaching CS1/2 courses, few of whom have computer graphics or games backgrounds, to integrate video games. Game-Themed Instructional (GTI) Modules are designed specifically to encourage general faculty members to teach CS1/2 concepts using interactive, graphical, game-like examples. Six independent and self-contained GTI modules were created as a collection of interactive graphical example programs designed to demonstrate one single programming concept (e.g., conditional statements). This paper discusses the design parameters and implementation of the GTI modules and describes a case study of selectively adopting some of the GTI modules in an existing CS1 class. The results of the study demonstrate that it is possible for a faculty member with no games or graphics background to blend GTI modules into an existing CS1 class with minimum alterations to established course materials. The GTI modules are excellent catalysts, enabling faculty to begin exploring teaching with game-themed materials and helping students to be more engaged in CS1 topics.