Using educational games and simulation software in a computer science course: learning achievements and student flow experiences |
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| Authors: | Tsung-Yu Liu |
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| Institution: | Department of Multimedia and Game Science, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology., No 300, Sec. 1, Wanshou Rd., Guishan, Taoyuan county 333, Taiwan, ROC |
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| Abstract: | This study investigates how educational games impact on students' academic performance and multimedia flow experiences in a computer science course. A curriculum consists of five basic learning units, that is, the stack, queue, sort, tree traversal, and binary search tree, was conducted for 110 university students during one semester. Two groups of students participated in learning activities: the experimental group was instructed using the gaming method; and the control group was instructed using the non-gaming method. During the study, tests, a survey, and interviews were conducted with students. The evaluation results for academic performance and multimedia flow experiences show that compared to the non-gaming method, incorporating the gaming method into the learning process can enhance students' academic performance and multimedia flow experiences. The results also indicated that there is a non-significant and positive relationship between students' academic performance and multimedia flow experiences. |
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| Keywords: | computer game data structure flow experience simulation software |
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