Codeseum: Learning Introductory Programming Concepts through Virtual Reality Puzzles

When learning programming concepts, beginners face challenges that lead to decreased motivation, Game-Based Learning (GBL) uses game principles to make learning more engaging, and VR has been explored as a way to enhance GBL further. This paper explores the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) on learning programming, and we developed Codeseum to compare whether VR-based learning is perceived as more engaging and usable than a desktop game counterpart. The experiment with ten participants included data from questionnaires, interviews, and structured observations. The quantitative analysis indicated that VR was perceived as inducing higher focused attention, aesthetic appeal, and reward, while the thematic analysis provided discussion elements of seven themes, including interaction, engagement, and physical expressions from the participants. Overall, the desktop application had better accessibility, whereas the immersive interactions from Codeseum in VR induced higher levels of enjoyment and engagement. Our study contributes insights into the potential of VR in education, mainly teaching coding skills in engaging ways, and offers information to adopt immersive technologies in teaching practice.