Jan Holz

From boring to scoring - a collaborative serious game for learning and practicing mathematical logic for computer science education

In this study, we address the problem of low retention and high dropout rates of computer science university students in early semesters of the studies. Complex and high abstract mathematical learning materials have been identified as one reason for the dropout rate. In order to support the understanding and practicing of core mathematical concepts, we developed a game-based multitouch learning environment in which the need for a suitable learning environment for mathematical logic was combined with the ability to train cooperation and collaboration in a learning scenario. As application domain, the field of mathematical logic had been chosen. The development process was accomplished along three steps: First, ethnographic interviews were run with 12 students of computer science revealing typical problems with mathematical logic. Second, a multitouch learning environment was developed. The game consists of multiple learning and playing modes in which teams of students can collaborate or compete against each other. Finally, a twofold evaluation of the environment was carried out (user study and cognitive walk-through). Overall, the evaluation showed that the game environment was easy to use and rated as helpful: The chosen approach of a multiplayer game supporting competition, collaboration, and cooperation is perceived as motivating and “fun.”

Using smartphones to motivate secondary school students for informatics

By analyzing and regarding the specific multimedia interests of both sexes, two theses for creating gender-sensitive and active learning environments were developed. They focus on integrating smartphones as interesting everyday objects into computer science courses to raise motivation. In the developed learning environment the students program an Android app in Java to remote control a Lego Mindstorms NXT Robot over Bluetooth by using the smartphones orientation sensor. A second version works with wheeled Arduino microcontrollers instead of NXT, to check whether the smartphone-induced motivation could be transferred to intensified technological topics. The learning environments were evaluated and the results show that using smartphones can have a highly motivational effect on students of both sexes.