William Joel
ABSTRACT
A fundamental aspect of learning computer programming is the development of an intuition that can provide one with what needs to be done to solve a problem sans specific implementation detail. However, intuition cannot be taught using just lectures and/or readings. Students must be immersed in the process of programming, so relationships among the elements they learn become apparent. Often, short, discrete demonstration programs are used to introduce various programming schema. Given the disconnectedness of these short examples, they fail to help students gain a programming intuition. Using game development as the basis for an introductory programming class taps into students existing understanding of and intuition relating to image, sound, and games. It also demonstrates how various programming approaches can be used to the benefit of solving a large, meaningful problem, which, appropriately designed, provides ample space for the development of a student's programming intuition.
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Digital Library
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