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An investigation of the artifacts and process of constructing computers games about environmental science in a fifth grade classroom

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Abstract

This study employed a case study design (Yin, Case study research, design and methods, 2009) to investigate the processes used by 5th graders to design and develop computer games within the context of their environmental science unit, using the theoretical framework of constructionism. Ten fifth graders designed computer games using Scratch software. The results showed students were able to design functional games, following a learning-by-design process of planning, designing, testing, and sharing. Observations revealed that game design led to opportunities for informal knowledge building and sharing among students. This, in turn, encouraged students to test and improve their designs. The findings support the conclusion that elementary students can develop programming concepts and create computer games when using graphical programming software developed for their level of experience. Insights into the iterative process of learning-by-game design are presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey

    Ahmet Baytak

  2. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Susan M. Land

  3. Muhendislik Fakültesi, Harran University, Bilgisayar Muh., 63300, Sanliurfa, Turkey

    Ahmet Baytak

Authors
  1. Ahmet Baytak
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  2. Susan M. Land
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Correspondence to Ahmet Baytak.

Additional information

This work is based upon the doctoral dissertation completed by the first author at The Pennsylvania State University.

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Baytak, A., Land, S.M. An investigation of the artifacts and process of constructing computers games about environmental science in a fifth grade classroom. Education Tech Research Dev 59, 765–782 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-010-9184-z

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