Creativity in the cane fields: motivating and engaging IT students through games

Lemmon, Colin, Bidwell, Nicola, Hooper, Marion, Gaskett, Chris, Holdsworth, Jason, and Musumeci, Phillip (2007) Creativity in the cane fields: motivating and engaging IT students through games. In: Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Microsoft Academic Days on Game Development in Computer Science Education. pp. 43-47. From: 2nd Annual Microsoft Academic Days on Game Development in Computer Science Education, 22-25 February 2007, Disney Wonder Cruise Ship.

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Abstract

In this paper we discuss the influence of the unique local environment and culture on students and teaching styles in the IT degree at James Cook University Cairns Campus. In this degree program games are used to motivate self-directed study and increase student engagement in first and second year programming subjects, and also to generate interest in learning new technologies such as programming for mobile devices. We discuss the use of a mixed reality location based game to improve attitude to teamwork by integrating students in a games subject and a general IT software engineering subject. Students learn the value of community engagement through links to a local primary school for design and evaluation of games, to ensure a balanced approach to user requirements, game design and implementation. Students have explored niche applications of games through the development of a game for children with disabilities.

Item ID: 3139
Item Type: Conference Item (Research - E1)
Keywords: games; community; collaboration; user interaction
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Date Deposited: 26 Nov 2009 23:16
FoR Codes: 13 EDUCATION > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130306 Educational Technology and Computing @ 50%
08 INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES > 0806 Information Systems > 080602 Computer-Human Interaction @ 50%
SEO Codes: 93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9399 Other Education and Training > 939999 Education and Training not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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