Computer-Game Construction: A Gender-Neutral Attractor to Computing Science

Autor/inn/en	Carbonaro, Mike; Szafron, Duane; Cutumisu, Maria; Schaeffer, Jonathan
Titel	Computer-Game Construction: A Gender-Neutral Attractor to Computing Science
Quelle	In: Computers & Education, 55 (2010) 3, S.1098-1111 (14 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0360-1315
DOI	10.1016/j.compedu.2010.05.007
Schlagwörter	Females; Computers; Grade 10; Thinking Skills; Teaching Methods; Universities; Student Interests; Declining Enrollment; Student Attitudes; Computer Science Education + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Weibliches Geschlecht; Digitalrechner; Denkfähigkeit; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; University; Universität; Studieninteresse; Schülerverhalten; Computer science lessons; Informatikunterricht
Abstract	Enrollment in Computing Science university programs is at a dangerously low level. A major reason for this is the general lack of interest in Computing Science by females. In this paper, we discuss our experience with using a computer game construction environment as a vehicle to encourage female participation in Computing Science. Experiments with game construction in grade 10 English classes showed that females enjoyed this activity as much as males and were just as successful. In this paper, we argue that: a) computer game construction is a viable activity for teaching higher-order thinking skills that are essential for Science; b) computer game construction that involves scripting teaches valuable Computing Science abstraction skills; c) this activity is an enjoyable introduction to Computing Science; and d) outcome measures for this activity are not male-dominated in any of the three aspects (higher-order thinking, Computing Science abstraction skills, activity enjoyment). Therefore, we claim that this approach is a viable gender-neutral approach to teaching Computing Science in particular and Science in general that may increase female participation in the discipline. (Contains 3 tables and 14 figures.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10