Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game

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Gallacher, Marc and Imperatore, Gennaro; McNeill, Fiona and Alexandru, Cristina and Sentance, Sue and Cutts, Quintin, eds. (2025) Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game. In: UKICER '25: Proceedings of the 2025 Conference on UK and Ireland Computing Education Research. ACM, GBR, p. 1. ISBN 979-8-4007-2078-9 (https://doi.org/10.1145/3754508.3754533)

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Abstract

This student project developed a block-based learning game aimed at high school students. The game covered core programming theory concepts such as variables and functions. The performance of 7 learners playing the game was compared against that of 8 students who were given traditional PDF materials. The evaluation showed game based learners performed better than traditional learners.

ORCID iDs

Gallacher, Marc and Imperatore, Gennaro ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7658-8264; McNeill, Fiona, Alexandru, Cristina, Sentance, Sue and Cutts, Quintin
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)