Game-Theme Based Instructional Module for Teaching Object Oriented Programming

Due to complex mathematical nature of computer science, it is considered a complex and arduous subject by college students. Due to a gradual decrease in computer science students, in spite of a growing demand for computer science professionals, it is crucial to find a way to attract computer science students by making the concepts even more fascinating and absorbing. The aim of this paper is to develop game theme based instructional modules for computer science students that motivates and engages students while contributing to their learning outcomes. Game theme based instructional modules are designed to encourage faculty to teach and motivate students to learn the concepts of object oriented programming using interactive, graphical, game-like examples. This paper discusses the design parameters and implementation of the module and describes a case study of adopting the module in an existing class. The results of the study demonstrate the effectiveness of the instructional module and the possibility to include it in the existing curriculum with minimum alterations to the existing established course material. The instructional modules act as a supplement to an existing course and enable faculty to explore teaching with a game-theme materials and helping students to be more motivated and engaged in class.