Identifying influential factors in computational thinking research via game-based learning: a comprehensive content analysis

This paper aims to review the research on developing computational thinking (CT) through game-based learning (GBL). The study is conducted over two periods, period 1 from 2010 to 2015 and period 2 from 2016 to 2020. A total of 41 published qualified articles were found based on keywords. The content analysis from the research articles provides the principal characteristics, the profile of international publication patterns and influential factors. The results indicate that the main characteristics are elementary schools for research background. The profile of international publication trends in the study is leading in the USA, ranking first among selected publications from the journal of Computers and Education, and the widespread authors in this period. Influential factors are Scratch popular language programming/tool. Moreover, to develop CT via GBL, educational effectiveness, design game, confidence, engagement, learning tool, and teaching method education are the factors indicated in the qualified research during the past 11 years.