Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education
This paper presents an analysis of game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education. As computational thinking becomes increasingly important in modern education, innovative approaches to teaching programming and algorithmic concepts are...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Academy of Cognitive and Natural Sciences
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | CTE Workshop Proceedings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://acnsci.org/journal/index.php/cte/article/view/926 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850279091246202880 |
|---|---|
| author | Maksym S. Kovtaniuk Svitlana V. Shokaliuk Alexander N. Stepanyuk |
| author_facet | Maksym S. Kovtaniuk Svitlana V. Shokaliuk Alexander N. Stepanyuk |
| author_sort | Maksym S. Kovtaniuk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
This paper presents an analysis of game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education. As computational thinking becomes increasingly important in modern education, innovative approaches to teaching programming and algorithmic concepts are essential. Game simulators offer an engaging and interactive alternative to traditional teaching methods, particularly in developing algorithmic thinking - a fundamental skill in computer science. Through a synthesis of current research and pedagogical theories, this paper examines various game simulators including Blockly Games, Rabbids Coding, Kodu Game Lab, 7 Billion Humans, and Minecraft Education Edition. We analyze their features, implementation strategies, and effectiveness in different educational contexts while providing a theoretical framework connecting gamification principles with educational psychology. The paper also addresses practical challenges in implementation and suggests directions for future research. Our findings indicate that game simulators, when effectively integrated into educational curricula, can significantly enhance student engagement, motivation, and algorithmic thinking skills across various educational levels.
|
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f585a2ccb7241b9b9746ed1016d7996 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2833-5473 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Cognitive and Natural Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | CTE Workshop Proceedings |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f585a2ccb7241b9b9746ed1016d79962025-08-20T01:49:14ZengAcademy of Cognitive and Natural SciencesCTE Workshop Proceedings2833-54732025-03-011210.55056/cte.926Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science educationMaksym S. Kovtaniuk0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7059-6784Svitlana V. Shokaliuk1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3774-1729Alexander N. Stepanyuk2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9088-2294Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical UniversityKryvyi Rih State Pedagogical UniversityKryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University This paper presents an analysis of game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education. As computational thinking becomes increasingly important in modern education, innovative approaches to teaching programming and algorithmic concepts are essential. Game simulators offer an engaging and interactive alternative to traditional teaching methods, particularly in developing algorithmic thinking - a fundamental skill in computer science. Through a synthesis of current research and pedagogical theories, this paper examines various game simulators including Blockly Games, Rabbids Coding, Kodu Game Lab, 7 Billion Humans, and Minecraft Education Edition. We analyze their features, implementation strategies, and effectiveness in different educational contexts while providing a theoretical framework connecting gamification principles with educational psychology. The paper also addresses practical challenges in implementation and suggests directions for future research. Our findings indicate that game simulators, when effectively integrated into educational curricula, can significantly enhance student engagement, motivation, and algorithmic thinking skills across various educational levels. https://acnsci.org/journal/index.php/cte/article/view/926computational thinkingeducational technologygamificationblock-based programmingsimulation-based learningeducational games |
| spellingShingle | Maksym S. Kovtaniuk Svitlana V. Shokaliuk Alexander N. Stepanyuk Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education CTE Workshop Proceedings computational thinking educational technology gamification block-based programming simulation-based learning educational games |
| title | Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education |
| title_full | Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education |
| title_fullStr | Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education |
| title_full_unstemmed | Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education |
| title_short | Game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education |
| title_sort | game simulators as educational tools for developing algorithmic thinking skills in computer science education |
| topic | computational thinking educational technology gamification block-based programming simulation-based learning educational games |
| url | https://acnsci.org/journal/index.php/cte/article/view/926 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT maksymskovtaniuk gamesimulatorsaseducationaltoolsfordevelopingalgorithmicthinkingskillsincomputerscienceeducation AT svitlanavshokaliuk gamesimulatorsaseducationaltoolsfordevelopingalgorithmicthinkingskillsincomputerscienceeducation AT alexandernstepanyuk gamesimulatorsaseducationaltoolsfordevelopingalgorithmicthinkingskillsincomputerscienceeducation |