Computational Thinking, Code Complexity, and Prior Experience in a Videogame-Building Assignment

Abstract

Computational-thinking skills are an essential intellectual amplifier for all scientific and professional disciplines. Embedding these skills in the K-12 and University curricula is necessary for training the next generation of thinkers. A widely adopted approach to doing so is through simple and visual programming languages like Scratch and engaging assignments like video-game construction. In this work, we report on an empirical study we conducted with senior undergraduate education students aiming to understand how prior experience enables students to better develop their computation-thinking skills through a Scratch-based video-game assignment.