Title:	SERIOUS GAMES AND BOARD GAMES IN THE COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASS
Author(s):	Dawid B. Jordaan
ISBN:	978-989-8533-75-3
Editors:	Piet Kommers and Pedro Isaías
Year:	2018
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Games, Board Games, Serious Games, Programming, Computer Science
Type:	Short Paper
First Page:	306
Last Page:	310
Language:	English
Cover:
Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	Various studies reveal that students develop a negative mind set towards computer programming because they experience programming as a difficult subject. This is alarming when taken in consideration that the software development industry is one of the fastest growing areas in the labour market currently. Enrollments figures at tertiary institutions in computer science courses are low and dropout rates are high. In addition to the perception that programming is difficult, outdated teaching and learning strategies and irrelevant course material could be to blame for this situation. Young people engage with modern technology and this is often not what they find in the classroom. Failure to implement appropriate and interactive teaching methods in the learning environment often lead to wasted resources, learner apathy and discouragement. Effective teaching methods and approaches should inspire, empower and encourage students and this is especially true in complex, technical subjects such as computer science. Students find the competitive, fast-paced and interactive environment which serious games provide appealing. Studies show that games could be a powerful and effective tool to create such a learning environment. Although progress has been made to incorporate digital educational games into the learning environment, research on understanding the value that serious games can add to learning in computer science courses at higher education institutions is limited. The value of board games has been recognized in corporate settings but to a limited extend. Most teachers do not recognize the impact and true value of board games designed for learning. The purpose of this “work in progress” study is to investigate the possibility to use board games to enhance the learning experience of students in the computer science class. Insights gained from this study may assist educators in the designing and planning the implementation of board games as part of the learning experience in the computer science class.
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