Thiemo Leonhardt

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.

Simulating LEGO mindstorms robots to facilitate teaching computer programming to school students

Programmable robots like Lego Mindstorms have proven to be an effective mediator to teach computer programming to school children. Therefore several projects that aim at increasing the interest in computer programming and computer science in general use robots as a cornerstone in their course concepts. Handing out robotic kits to the school students who have participated in the courses is not feasible, thus the learning content cannot be repeated and enhanced at home. We developed a flexible multi-user simulation environment for LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots which is closely integrated into our pedagogical teaching scenarios. User tests show that this environment can be successfully used to increase the long-term outreach of our courses.

Paving the Way for Computer Science in German Schools

There is an ongoing discussion in Germany, whether and to what extent computer science should be integrated into school education as a mandatory subject on the level as natural sciences. The goal of this article is to present scientific evidence of effects of computing interventions of extra-curricular services offered by universities as supplement of the currently missing school integration.

On collaboratively conveying computer science to pupils

Though there is an increasing need for computer scientists in our society, gifted young people with strong mathematical background, who would be well-suited for a study of computer science, often do not consider this choice because they have a wrong picture of computer science in mind. In this paper we present a new concept of collaborative learning to introduce high-school students to the field of theoretical computer science. In particular, we choose the demanding field of real-time systems in order to illustrate the applicability of theoretical methods on real-world systems. Statistical results show that with our concept we are able to point out the manifoldness, beauty and challenge of this scientific area and can convince high-school students to consider computer science as a choice of study.