Game and App Design in School: Process and Perspectives From the Field

• In Event: Game Design and Assessment in the Classroom

Abstract

This paper provides a model of “how” schools might develop and offer students opportunities for game and app design by detailing a nine-week curriculum using Portal 2, MIT App Inventor, and Unity. This novel course focuses on attracting students to consider computer science skills and careers. Computer Science Principles: Computational Thinking Practices (The College Board, 2012), and Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) K-12 Computer Science Standards (2011) are embedded in the curriculum. The research uses a “working example” methodology (Barab, Dodge & Gee; 2009) exploring the curriculum-writing process, educators’ perspectives, necessary conditions, and “type of teacher” to consider this innovation in formal schooling.

Author

• Danielle Christine Herro, Clemson University