Workshop 311: Moving Beyond Game Design: Building Teacher Confidence with Scientific Modeling by Transitioning from Game Design to EcoSystem Programming
Scalable Game Design (SGD) instruction, vetted and researched over more than a decade, enables educators with little or no programming experience to teach students to program games with AgentCubes. SGD has been used successfully with learners from upper elementary grades to high school to motivate and teach computer science and STEM topics, including techniques that simulate AI processes.
Scalable Game Design (SGD) concepts, Computational Thinking Patterns (CTPs), and Computational Thinking Pattern Assessment (CTPA) are all applicable to Upper Elementary and Middle School CS and Science standards. Common pedagogical decisions that teachers often encounter transitioning from game design to simulation programming will be explained. We will also present and discuss techniques for classroom management, project-based learning, and assessment. Links to instructional materials for students and teachers and support videos will be provided.