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An evaluation of game-based computer science course designs: The example of minecraftedu

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Betül Tonbuloğlu at Yıldız Technical University
Betül Tonbuloğlu
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The purpose of this research is to evaluate the potential of use for computer science course designs (CSCD) created by game-based learning method. Qualitative case study was used as the research design. CSCDs created for Minecraft Education Edition (MinecraftEdu) were examined in the context of various criteria by document analysis method, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers actively using MinecraftEdu in their classes. The research revealed that the CSCDs created for MinecraftEdu primarily aimed at developing coding and design skills, underscored interdisciplinary collaboration, laid more emphasis on cognitive-psychomotor achievements with curriculum eligibility. It was acknowledged that introduction, body and conclusion parts have an elaborate design in majority of course designs according to Gagné's Events of Instruction Model, and yet, more attention should be paid to gaining the learner’s attention, stimulating recall of prior learning, giving feedback, and ensuring retention and transfer. Despite increasing interest and trend towards educational games and game-based learning environments, there are limited number of studies that can help teachers evaluate the games that can be most effective in their fields and different learning contexts. Therefore, it is anticipated that this study will contribute to the related literature on game-based course designs and applicability.
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Vol.:(0123456789)
Education and Information Technologies (2024) 29:4843–4883
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11996-y
1 3
An evaluation ofgame‑based computer science course
designs: The example ofminecraftedu
BetülTonbuloğlu1
Received: 5 January 2023 / Accepted: 22 June 2023 / Published online: 11 July 2023
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
2023
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the potential of use for computer sci-
ence course designs (CSCD) created by game-based learning method. Qualitative
case study was used as the research design. CSCDs created for Minecraft Education
Edition (MinecraftEdu) were examined in the context of various criteria by docu-
ment analysis method, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers
actively using MinecraftEdu in their classes. The research revealed that the CSCDs
created for MinecraftEdu primarily aimed at developing coding and design skills,
underscored interdisciplinary collaboration, laid more emphasis on cognitive-psy-
chomotor achievements with curriculum eligibility. It was acknowledged that intro-
duction, body and conclusion parts have an elaborate design in majority of course
designs according to Gagné’s Events of Instruction Model, and yet, more attention
should be paid to gaining the learner’s attention, stimulating recall of prior learning,
giving feedback, and ensuring retention and transfer. Despite increasing interest and
trend towards educational games and game-based learning environments, there are
limited number of studies that can help teachers evaluate the games that can be most
effective in their fields and different learning contexts. Therefore, it is anticipated
that this study will contribute to the related literature on game-based course designs
and applicability.
Keywords Game-based learning· Minecraft Education Edition· Educational
technology· Lesson planning· Program evaluation
* Betül Tonbuloğlu
betultonbuloglu@gmail.com; betult@yildiz.edu.tr
1 Distance Learning Research andApplication Centre, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul,
Turkey
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
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