Work in progress: Evaluating the use of mobile game development in introductory CS courses

Abstract

Computer games have been accepted as an engaging and motivating tool in the CS curriculum. However, designing and implementing a playable game is challenging and is best done in advanced courses. Games for mobile devices offer the advantage of being simpler and, thus, easier to program for lower-level students. By exposing these students to a wide range of advanced topics, we can demonstrate to them that CS can be much more than coding. Here, we discuss our evaluation of a set of learning modules for introductory CS courses that use mobile game development as a motivational learning context.