This fall, we are running our more formal experiments with our games and stories. In the next series of posts, we will share more detailed designs of our three games and give a brief explanation of the computer science concepts they aim to teach. We will also share some of the preliminary results from playing those games with a group of girls at Grace Wilday Junior High School in Roselle, New Jersey. First, however, we would like to summarize our experimental setup.
Professor Carolee Stewart lead the sessions at Grace Wilday. There were 24 students girls in the 7th and 8th grades enrolled to participate. Each session had between 19 and 24 girls in attendance, with an average of 22. There were 6 sessions from 3:15 to 4:45 every Wednesday immediately after school.
In total, the girls played three analog classroom games covering the computer science concepts of image representation, algorithms, and data organization. Each game was played over two sessions.
The girls were divided into two groups of approximately 12 each. One group played an abstract version of the game: no context or story elements were provided either in the game materials or the surrounding instruction.
The other group played the same game, but with a fully integrated story told verbally, through pictures of characters, and with facilitated discussion. Even the gameplay materials were designed to feel like they were part of the plot. The storytelling added about 5-8 minutes to length of the session each day.
Brief Summary of Games
Image Representation
The image representation game teaches players about encoding and decoding images. By the end, players should understand that data can be encoded and decoded in a variety of ways. In the first level of the game, an image is encoded into binary 0’s and 1’s and the objective is to reveal your opponent’s image before they can reveal yours. The second level involves decoding and encoding an image using a different type of run-length encoding protocol.
Algorithms
The algorithm relay race teaches players about algorithms, including what they are, and the importance of writing them clearly and concisely. Players work in teams to complete four tasks, all requiring the teams to split into pairs. One pair writes algorithms for the other pair to perform.
Data Organization
The data organization game teaches players about searching and sorting concepts to accomplish a goal. Players learn how to best devise strategies to find an assigned target data item. They are given a small set of action cards, such as splitting groups into sub-groups, which they can apply to a common set of data to try to isolate their target data item.