Examining Effectiveness of Learning Object-Oriented Programming Paradigm Through Propriety Game-Based Learning Games

Learning object-oriented programming paradigm can be difficult and challenging for novices, especially the first year degree students who do not have any prior programming experience. The traditional learning and teaching methods are insufficient to support the learners or students. A game-based learning approach can be an efficient way for the students to learn object-oriented programming. This is because empirical evidence verifying computer games as educationally efficient tools for learning OOP is still absent from the literature. Thus, this paper proposes computer games that are developed according to the game-based learning design approach model for students to learn object-oriented programming paradigm. In the proposed game, several relevant theories are included to ensure the entire learning process is motivating and easy to learn. The game divides the learning content into several levels and quests. Students are required to communicate with the non-player character for learning purposes and complete the quests to proceed to the next level. Each quest adopts different gameplay mechanics to suit the learning objectives. Besides that, compared with other games for learning programming such as Alice 2D, Greenfoot, Darwin and CodeCombat, the proposed computer game only focuses on the game play to carry out the learning objective (no coding exercise type of game play needed). Most of the existing games for learning programming require coding practice type of game mechanics. All these games have their own approach and objective that could still be inefficient to support the learning process for novice in learning OOP. Playing is one of the most efficient ways for learners to gain whatever knowledge they require and computer games can be an engaging learning medium for the teaching and learning process. Thus, a computer game that focuses on the game play without coding practice will be an efficient tool for learning OOP.