2010/11/17 by Praveen Kuruvada, Daniel Adomako Asamoah, Kuruvada, Praveen +5
Computer Science · Psychology · #Educational Games and Gamification #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Online Learning and Analytics #Other Computer Science (cs.OH) #Teaching and Learning Programming
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1011.4093
openalex publication_date 2010/11/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Computational Thinking (CT) has been described as a universally applicable ability such as reading and writing. In this paper, we describe an innovative pedagogy using Rapid Digital Game Creation (RDGC) for learning CT skills. RDGC involves the rapid building of digital games with high-level software that requires little or no programming knowledge. We analyze how RDGC supports various CT concepts and how it may be mapped to equivalent Java concepts by building the same game using both RDGC and Java. We discuss the potential benefits of this approach for attracting computing majors, as a precursor to learning formal programming languages, for learning domain knowledge, and for bridging the digital divide. We present the implications of this work for teachers and researchers.