Learning to program with Game Maker

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Visual Programming ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Pair Group ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Programming Software ◽  
Constructionist Approach ◽  
South East England ◽  
Computing Curriculum

Game Maker is widely used in UK secondary schools, yet under-researched in that context. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative case study that explores how authoring computer games using Game Maker can support the learning of basic programming concepts in a mainstream UK secondary setting.  The research draws on the learning theory of constructionism, which asserts the importance of pupils using computers as ‘building material’ to create digital artefacts (Papert, 1980; Harel and Papert, 1991), and considers the extent to which a constructionist approach is suitable for introducing basic programming concepts within a contemporary, game authoring context.  The research was conducted in a high achieving comprehensive school in South East England. Twenty-two pupils (12 boys; 10 girls; 13-14 years old) completed a unit of work in computer game authoring over an eight-week (16 x 50 minute lessons) period. In planning and developing their games, they worked in self-selected pairs, apart from two pupils (one boy and one girl) who worked alone, by choice. Nine of the ten pairs were the same gender. Data were collected in planning documents, journals and the games pupils made, in recordings of their working conversations, and in pair, group and artefact-based interviews. Findings indicate that as well as learning some basic programming concepts, pupils enjoyed the constructionist-designed activity, demonstrated positive attitudes to their work, and felt a sense of achievement in creating a complex artefact that had personal and cultural significance for them. However, the findings also suggest that the constructionist approach adopted in the research did not effectively support the learning of programming concepts for all pupils. This research arises out of a perceived need to develop accessible, extended units of work to implement aspects of the Computing curriculum in England. It suggests that using Game Maker may offer a viable entry, and identifies the programming concepts and practices which pupils encountered, the difficulties they experienced, and the errors they made when authoring computer games. It also offers recommendations to increase the readiness with which students engage with key programming concepts and practices when using this visual programming software. In so doing it makes a practical contribution to the field of qualitative research in secondary computing education. 

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF COMPUTER GAMES IN ENHANCING PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTITUDE TOWARDS MATHEMATICS

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1093-1099
Author(s):  
Pius A ◽  
◽  
P. Agashi ◽  
Stephen Yusuf ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Primary School Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitude Towards Mathematics ◽  
Attitudes Towards Mathematics

Numerous research findings have applauded the integration of technology in the classroom especially in mathematic to develops positive attitudes. The advancements in technology may provide a better opportunity to impact mathematical literacy and skills on young learners. Perhaps, attitudes towards mathematics are declining in recent years. The study aimed to enhance the students attitude toward learning mathematics by using games app embedded in computer software used as an instrument to teach the subject. A total of ninety-one primary school students drawn from different primary schools in the Kogi state participated in the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test study design. The result revealed that the computer game influenced the respondents attitude towards mathematics at MD = 13.65 (95% CI, 8.91 to 16.17), t (88) = 6.328, p = .001. Thus, the study concludes that computer game is an indispensable tool in impacting positive attitudes towards mathematics, especially among the primary school students. The recommendations are discussed.

A Cooperative Computer Game for Public Efficiency Development

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4760-4766
Author(s):  
Sachchida Nand Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Group Therapy ◽  
Group Work ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Design Interfaces ◽  
Design Case Study ◽  
Effective Group ◽  
Public Group

This paper presents a design case study of SIDES: Design Interfaces to Develop Effective Public Efficiency. SIDES is a tool designed to help adolescents in Public group therapy, specifically individuals with Asperser’s Syndrome, practice effective group work efficiency using a four-player cooperative computer game that runs on computer games technology. We are represent the design process and evaluation of SIDES conducted over a period of six months with a middle school Public group therapy class. Our findings indicate that   computer games   are a motivating and supported tool for effective group work among. My target population and reveal different design lessons to inform the development of similar systems.

Playing power: gendered discourses in a computer games magazine

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Thornborrow
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Stylistic Analysis ◽  
Game Playing ◽  
Gender Specific ◽  
Conflicting Discourses

The focus of this article is the language of computer game previews and guides in the magazine Sega Mean Machines. I examine the presence of conflicting discourses within these texts, and discuss the possible effects they may have on the construction of gender-specific identities for the reader. Through a stylistic analysis of these texts, I will argue that entering the computer game-playing world means essentially a shift for the female readers/players into male-centred discourses.

The Effects of Computer Game on Preschool Children’s Nutrition Knowledge and Junk Food Intake Behavior (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-En Yen
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Junk Food ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Children's Nutrition ◽  
Game Intervention

BACKGROUND Computer games can increase children’s interest in learning, and then improve their nutritional knowledge, and their dietary intake behavior. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of computer games on preschool children's nutrition knowledge and junk food intake behavior. This study was a cross-sectional study. METHODS We recruited 104 preschool children age 5-6 years from preschools and randomly assign to experiment group (n=56) and control group (n=48). The researchers used Construct 2 to design and produce the "Healthy Rat King" computer game as a nutrition education tool for children. The computer game courses intervention was one hour per week for four consecutive weeks in experiment group, and the control group did not received computer game intervention. RESULTS The results showed that the nutrition knowledge score of children in experiment group were significant higher than the control group after four weeks of computer game course intervention, and the frequency of chocolate, candies, and ice cream intake was significantly reduced in experiment group after four weeks of computer game intervention. CONCLUSIONS computer game teaching suggested that improved children’s nutrition knowledge and decreased the frequency of junk food intake.

The Term «Computer Game»: The Experience of an Interdisciplinary Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Vasiliev ◽  
◽  
Yu.V. Pechatnova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Social Evolution ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Legal Analysis ◽  
New Variety

The article is devoted to a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of the term «game» and its relatively new variety – computer game. The need to use an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the term is explained by the versatility and multi-aspect nature of the phenomenon under study. The article reveals the meaning of the concept «game» in the philosophical, aesthetic, historical, cultural, linguistic, psychological, technological and legal dimensions. The research methodology includes historical, systematic methods, as well as the method of formal legal analysis. The author emphasizes the influence of the development of forms of game activity on the development of social evolution, as well as the interaction of the game and the achievements of scientific and technological progress. The relevance of studying the term «computer game» lies in the fact that computer games have become the most popular type of gaming activity and the most profitable commercial product on the modern market. In this regard, terminological certainty is necessary due to the economic feasibility and effective legal regulation of the development, implementation and use of computer games. The authors propose to identify the main features of the concept «game», in general, and the specific features of the term «computer game», in particular. Based on the set of features, the author's definition of the concept «computer game» is proposed. In order to distinguish the studied concept from related categories, the analysis of the terms «electronic game» and «video game» is carried out. In conclusion, the authors assess the approaches to the legal regulation of computer games from the point of view of domestic legislation. As a result of the analysis of the possibility of attributing a computer game to a variety of programs for electronic computers or a variety of multimedia products, the choice was made in favor of the latter. Thus, at present, in order to solve legal problems related to the development and use of a computer game, the authors propose the application of the law analogy.

scholarly journals Metazoa Ludens: Mixed Reality Environment for Playing Computer Games with Pets

2006 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger K. C. Tan ◽  
Adrian David Cheok ◽  
James K. S. Teh
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
The Real ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Pet Owner

For better or worse, technological advancement has changed the world to the extent that at a professional level demands from the working executive required more hours either in the office or on business trips, on a social level the population (especially the younger generation) are glued to the computer either playing video games or surfing the internet. Traditional leisure activities, especially interaction with pets have been neglected or forgotten. This paper introduces Metazoa Ludens, a new computer mediated gaming system which allows pets to play new mixed reality computer games with humans via custom built technologies and applications. During the game-play the real pet chases after a physical movable bait in the real world within a predefined area; infra-red camera tracks the pets' movements and translates them into the virtual world of the system, corresponding them to the movement of a virtual pet avatar running after a virtual human avatar. The human player plays the game by controlling the human avatar's movements in the virtual world, this in turn relates to the movements of the physical movable bait in the real world which moves as the human avatar does. This unique way of playing computer game would give rise to a whole new way of mixed reality interaction between the pet owner and her pet thereby bringing technology and its influence on leisure and social activities to the next level

Is the Contextual Interference Effect Generalizable to Computer Games?

1997 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Shewokis
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Sport Management ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Contextual Interference ◽  
Task Characteristics ◽  
Interference Effects ◽  
Practice Schedule ◽  
Winter Olympics ◽  
Random Schedule ◽  
Multiple Tasks

The benefits of learning multiple tasks under an unstructured practice schedule have been extensively demonstrated in the laboratory. The purpose of the present study was to test contextual interference effects in a nonlaboratory setting using computer games as tasks. Undergraduate kinesiology and sport management majors ( N=19) played a computer game simulating the events of the winter Olympics. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Blocked or Random practice schedule, practicing 36 trials of three events. Delayed retention and transfer tests were performed after a 48-hr. retention interval. The dependent variable was time to complete an event. During transfer, participants in the Random schedule ( M = 248 sec.) were significantly faster than Blocked ( M = 263 sec.) participants. Results support and extend previous contextual interference findings. Transfer was facilitated for participants who learned the events in a Random practice order. Results are discussed in terms of the influence of task characteristics on learning.

Fidelity of Task Structure as a Guiding Principle in the Development of Skill Trainers Based upon Complex Computer Games

1988 ◽  
Vol 32 (18) ◽  
pp. 1266-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Gopher ◽  
Maya Weil ◽  
Tal Bareket ◽  
Sigal Caspi
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Flight Training ◽  
Task Structure ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Guiding Principle ◽  
Processing Resources ◽  
Complex Computer

Fidelity of task structure is proposed to replace physical fidelity, as a cost effective guiding principle in the development of trainers for complex tasks. The paper describes a research project in which a complex computer game was designed to mimic the requirements of flight skill. It was then employed as part trainer within an actual flight training program. The game was mainly directed to teach subjects strategies of attention control and efficient allocation of processing resources. It was found to improve trainees performance in flight. The paper discusses the theoretical roots of the proposed approach and some results of its application in an actual training environment.

The Computer Game Industry, Market, and Culture

2014 ◽  
pp. 28-50
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Game Industry ◽  
Computer Game Industry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Games have become an important leisure activity for children and adults, and they are becoming an increasingly important part of our culture as a whole. This chapter gives readers an insight into the impact of computer games both culturally and economically. The chapter also considers the technical impact of computer games and how this might impact the gendered digital divide. For instance, it is often noted that playing computer games can be a gateway to computing careers due to increasing confidence and skills in computing as well as developing an interest in computers due to familiarity. Indeed, computer games and gaming might be an initial introduction for children to digital technologies generally. In turn, developing their confidence and skills in their usage of technology, leading to an increased utilisation and interest in a career in computer science and information technology. All issues are important when considering the gender divide in computer games.

Does Computer Game Experience Influence Visual Scenario Assessment of Urban Recreational Paths?

2010 ◽  
pp. 103-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Arnberger ◽  
Thomas Reichhart
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Computer Animation ◽  
Choice Model ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Presentation Mode ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Computer Gaming ◽  
Scenario Assessment ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
The Individual

During the past decades, computer visualizations have been frequently used in urban e-Planning and research. The question arises of whether the degree of experience with the computer during leisure time can have an influence on the assessment of computer-visualized outdoor environment scenarios using visualizations comparable to computer games. We used a computer-animated choice model to investigate the influence of computer game experience on respondents’ preferences for an urban recreational trail. Static and animated representations of use scenarios were produced with 3-D computer animation techniques. Three social factors were investigated: number of trail users, user composition, and direction of movement: The scenarios were presented to respondents (N = 149), segmented into groups with different computer game experience. The results indicate that the individual experience with computer gaming and the presentation mode influences the evaluation of trail scenarios. Animated trail scenarios seem to be more useful than static ones.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document