Computer scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed an immersive, first-person player video game designed to teach students in elementary to high school how to program in Java, one of the most common programming languages in use today.
The researchers tested the game on a group of 40 girls, ages 10 to 12, who had never been exposed to programming before. They detailed their findings in a paper they presented at the SIGCSE conference in March in Denver. Computer scientists found that within just one hour of play, the girls had mastered some of Java’s basic components and were able to use the language to create new ways of playing with the game.
“CodeSpells is the only video game that completely immerses programming into the game play,” said William Griswold, a computer scientist at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego.
The UC San Diego computer scientists plan to release the game for free and make it available to any educational institution that requests it. Researchers are currently conducting further case studies in San Diego elementary schools.
Teaching computer science below the college level is difficult, mainly because it is hard to find qualified instructors for students in elementary to high school, Griswold said. So he and his graduate students set out to find a way to reach these students outside the classroom. They designed the game to keep children engaged while they are coping with the difficulties of programming, which could otherwise be frustrating and discouraging.
Teaching children how to program must be a priority in a society where technology is becoming more and more important, said Sarah Esper, one of the lead graduate students on the development of CodeSpells. Programming also teaches logical thinking, said Stephen Foster, another lead student.
“We’re hoping that they will get as addicted to learning programming as they get addicted to video games,” Foster said.
How CodeSpells works
CodeSpells’ story line is simple: the player is a wizard arriving in a land populated by gnomes. The gnomes used to have magic, but lost it at some point. The wizard must help them. She (or he) writes spells in Java. Players have seven spells available to them, including levitating objects within the game, flying and making fire.
Players can also earn badges by undertaking simple quests, which help them master the game’s spells. One quest entails crossing a river. Another entails rescuing a gnome from the roof of his cottage, where he got stuck. Yet another entails starting a large bonfire. By the time players complete the game’s first level, they have learned the main components of the Java programming language, such as parameters, for if statements, for loops and while loops, among other skills.
The Latest Bing News on:
Using video games to teach
- I was skeptical about introducing video games to my 3 young kids. I found an option that keeps them moving while playing.on May 18, 2024 at 4:14 am
I have three kids under the age of 7. My oldest had been asking us if he could start playing video games.I didn't like the idea of them being sedentary, but found Nex Playground keeps them moving. I ...
- 61% of Americans, or 190.6M people, play video games | ESAon May 15, 2024 at 9:00 pm
Among adults, using video games to relax (68% of players ... U.S. adults also agree that video games can teach problem-solving (73%), teamwork and collaboration (64%), adaptability (59%), conflict ...
- 8 tips to stop kids' screen time meltdownson May 15, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Why do some kids get cranky after screen time? A psychologist offers her top tips for parents to prevent screen time meltdowns.
- Most teens game. One psychiatrist wants to make them into 'Healthy Gamers'on May 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
“So if you look at the core problem with video game addiction and kids and parents, the problem is that the two ... What do you enjoy doing?’ So we try to use a lot of what questions because those don ...
- 56 Best Video Games for Kidson May 13, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Video games don’t always have the ... there are just as many that were made to be suitable for kids. If you’re looking for a new game to enjoy with the youngsters or if you’re looking ...
- This video game is teaching college students entrepreneurshipon May 10, 2024 at 10:24 am
BestColleges reports on a free multiplayer business-building mobile and PC game in which competition leads to the best entrepreneurship outcomes.
- Customized Video Games Promising for ADHD, Depression, in Kidson May 10, 2024 at 7:16 am
Gamified digital mental health interventions may be an effective "bridge" therapy to reduce symptoms of ADHD and depression in children and adolescents.
- Washington state prison using video games to help incarcerated fathers bond with their kidson April 22, 2024 at 11:25 am
In Washington state, 8,000 inmates currently in prison are also parents. The Department of Corrections said kids of those people are six times more likely to end up incarcerated themselves.
- Washington state prison using video games to help incarcerated fathers bond with their kidson April 22, 2024 at 6:13 am
One Washington state men’s prison has a new way it is trying to break the cycle and allow kids to bond with their fathers, and that is video games. “I think this is their favorite part ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Using video games to teach
[google_news title=”” keyword=”using video games to teach” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Learning through immersive gaming
- itel RS4, future of gaming, built for unmatched performanceon May 16, 2024 at 5:00 pm
itel, a leading mobile phone brand, has set the gaming world ablaze with the launch of its latest flagship device, the RS4. Designed to cater specifically to gamers, this cutting-edge smartphone ...
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 gaming headseton May 16, 2024 at 6:05 am
SteelSeries has announced the launch of its Arctis Nova 5 series gaming headsets. Designed to cater to the diverse needs of gamers across various ...
- How Gaming Affects Learning in Collegeon May 15, 2024 at 5:20 am
With the heavy academic workload in college, students may often find themselves asking: “Academized help me write an essay“. Gaming is a beloved pastime for many college students, offering an escape ...
- Can VR Casinos Contribute To Immersive Gaming?on May 15, 2024 at 3:29 am
The casino industry is constantly evolving and over the last two decades, we’ve seen its progression from physical casinos, to the virtual world. But there is a missing piece of the puzzle. You might ...
- IMAA Announces Digi-Byte Event Featuring Industry’s Top Talent Plus “Immersive” Gaming Competitionon May 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA) announced its inaugural Digi-Byte event to mark the launch of its much-anticipated IMAA Academy ‘Digital101’ e-learning module. The Digi-Byte ...
- The Future of XR and Immersive Learningon May 13, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Immersive technology expert Monica Arés explains how the combination of artificial intelligence and extended reality in education has the potential to unlock curiosity and learning, the costs that ...
- Roblox: Gaming’s Gateway to infinite possibilitieson May 13, 2024 at 11:33 am
Roblox is a vast online gaming platform that offers a splendid array of video games and studies for gamers of every age. With its patron-first-class ...
- Best gaming projectors 2024on May 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The best gaming projectors can give you a huge and immersive picture without having to invest in a TV or monitor. Unlike home cinema projectors, projectors for gaming need to have a low input lag ...
- Learn How to Save $95 on This Gaming Monitoron May 8, 2024 at 12:58 pm
The Acer 27" KG271U Gaming Monitor is currently available with a $95 discount using the promo code PGWDS7355. This monitor is tailored for serious gamers, featuring a 27" WQHD (2560 x 1440) widescreen ...
- ITV Studios Taking ‘The Voice’ Into The Metaverse With Immersive Gaming Experience ‘Coach Battle’on May 8, 2024 at 5:22 am
The Voice is launching immersive gaming experience 'Coach Battle' to accompany the NBC singing competition format.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Learning through immersive gaming
[google_news title=”” keyword=”learning through immersive gaming” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]