Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game

Marc Gallacher; Gennaro Imperatore

doi:10.1145/3754508.3754533

Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game

Marc Gallacher, Gennaro Imperatore

Computer And Information Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

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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.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	UKICER '25: Proceedings of the 2025 Conference on UK and Ireland Computing Education Research
Editors	Fiona McNeill, Cristina Alexandru, Sue Sentance, Quintin Cutts
Pages	1-1
Number of pages	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3754508.3754533
Publication status	Published - 3 Sept 2025
Event	UKICER 2025: UK and Ireland Computing Education Research Conference - Edinburgh, United Kingdom Duration: 4 Sept 2025 → 5 Sept 2025

Conference

Conference	UKICER 2025: UK and Ireland Computing Education Research Conference
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Edinburgh
Period	4/09/25 → 5/09/25

Keywords

game based learning
education
block programming
student project

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1145/3754508.3754533Licence: CC BY 4.0

Gallacher-Imperatore-Teaching-foundational-programming-to-young-learners-via-a-block-based-gameFinal published version, 465 KBLicence: CC BY 4.0

Cite this

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title = "Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game",

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.",

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Gallacher, M & Imperatore, G 2025, Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game. in F McNeill, C Alexandru, S Sentance & Q Cutts (eds), UKICER '25: Proceedings of the 2025 Conference on UK and Ireland Computing Education Research. pp. 1-1, UKICER 2025: UK and Ireland Computing Education Research Conference, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 4/09/25. https://doi.org/10.1145/3754508.3754533

Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game. / Gallacher, Marc; Imperatore, Gennaro.
UKICER '25: Proceedings of the 2025 Conference on UK and Ireland Computing Education Research. ed. / Fiona McNeill; Cristina Alexandru; Sue Sentance; Quintin Cutts. 2025. p. 1-1.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

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Teaching foundational programming to young learners via a block based game

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

UN SDGs

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