Age of computers: game-based teaching of computer fundamentals

ABSTRACT

Age of Computers (AoC) is a new approach to the learning activities that supplements the auditorium lectures in a computer fundamentals course with 250 students. It is a computer game that presents the students a diverse set of problems from the course topics linked to computer history. It is implemented as set of dynamic web pages retrieved from a database. A prototype was used in 2003, and the feedback is positive and a strong motivation for continuing the project. The paper describes AoC, its use and implementation.

REFERENCES

• 1: Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. http://www.microsoft.com/games/age2/
• 2: ASP NET. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/
• 3: FIE-03 - Workshop on Using History to Teach Computing. ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conf., Nov. 2003.
• 4: JAVA. http://java.sun.com/
• 5: MySQL. http://www.mysql.com
• 6: Tormod Njlstad , Lasse Natvig, Experience from a 450 Students/Year Course on Digital Logic and Computer Fundamentals using FPGAs and µ-Controllers, Proceedings of the 2001 International Conference on Microelectronic Systems Education (MSE'01), p.18, June 17-18, 2001
• 7: PHP. http://www.php.net
• 8: Stallings, William. Computer Organization & Architecture, 6th edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.
• 9: Ågren, Ola. Virtual Machines as an Aid in Teaching Computer Concepts. In Workshop on Computer Architecture Education 2000. See http://www.cs.umu.se/~ola/Dark

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Collaborative learning

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.1 Computer Uses in Education
          Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction (CAI); Computer-managed instruction (CMI); Distance learning

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors, Management

Keywords:
computer games, edutainment, game-based teaching