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ABSTRACT

In our efforts to create interesting capstone assignments for CS1 students, we discovered that the design and implementation of single-player games could provide an acceptable level of challenge and motivation. However, there were some challenges with these types of projects. To have students implement even the simplest games, they would be required to solve difficult problems pertaining to basic physics. Physics issues include collision detection, gravity, and friction. In an effort to make the physics approachable for students, a system of classes was developed that could handle the basic physics and allow the students to focus on the larger implementation issues of the game. This first test of this package with the students has been a scaled-down implementation of the game of Centipede.

REFERENCES

• 1: CC2001, The ACM/IEEE joint task force on the "Model Curricula for Computing" final report -- computing curricula 2001, computer science volume. 2001.
• 2: CS015 Course Webpage, http://www.cs.brown.edu/courses/cs015/. 2004.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum

General Terms:
Human Factors