Improving programming skills in engineering education through problem-based game projects with Scratch
Date
2018-08-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Computers & Education
Abstract
Nowadays, programming skills are receiving widespread attention for different age groups
alongside occupational education programs to better prepare individuals for their future careers.
However, introducing programming concepts in an appropriate manner is a challenge in higher
education. The main assumption of this study is that enhancing the classical introduction to
programming courses through real-life problem-based game development with Scratch pro gramming environment potentially improves the learners' programming skills and motivation.
Accordingly, in this study, during one academic semester period, the Introduction to
Programming course for engineering students is enriched up to a certain level through real-life
game development projects with Scratch. The students are followed within a four-year period
starting from freshman until their graduation. The progress of the students who have taken the
Introduction to Programming course in enriched or classical form in the fourth year Senior project course are evaluated. The results show that by slightly improving the course curriculum
through real-life game development projects in the Scratch environment, students’ performance
on the graduation projects improved significantly. As a conclusion, game-based learning, pro blem-based learning, visual programming and projects are technologies that can potentially help
learners to perform better in the introduction to programming course, in turn affecting their
performances in projects.
Description
Keywords
computer engineering