Game design based learning of programming

Abstract

We will present game-based learning and the use of game design as amethod for teaching programming in primary and secondary schoolsin the paper. A lot of knowledge about game-based learning in gen-eral was collected in the last decade, but very few information andresources can be found on how to use game design as a method forteaching programming. We have made an extensive study of differ-ent approaches to game design-based learning with special emphasison learning programming for novice programmers. The results will beused as a foundation for the development of methodology in the Eras-mus+ international project Coding for Girls. This project addressesopen and innovative education and training embedded in the digitalera by targeting programming skills that are high in demand in a tech-nology driven society. The project also aims at addressing the gapbetween male and female participation in computer science educationby introducing early methodological learning interventions that makecomputer programming attractive for girls and boys.