Let’s Code: A Mobile Game as a Learning Tool for Object Oriented Programming

Abstract

This project introduces a mobile game namely “Let’sCode” as a learning tool for Object Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts. Let’sCode is an edutainment game that designed for students aged 9 to 12 years old to guide them learning OOP concepts like encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism in an easy and relaxing environment. Let’sCode is more like a game in which players will go on with the flow of the game step by step and they will learn to grow their characters. To enhance the learning process, this game must have an attractive storyline, pleasant game environment, nice and suitable sound effects, elegant character design as well as great animations. As the users are having fun with the game, they are actually learning the invaluable OOP knowledge. When the game starts, the kid can select his/her preferred character. During the game, the game character visits several places. In order to pass a level, the player should go through two parts or sublevel. In the first part of the level, a character navigates inside the visited place to find a number of hidden keys. When the player tries to find the hidden keys, he/she needs to open some boxes. Some boxes hide a key and some boxes hide a lesson about one concept of OOP and related to the visited place. Thus, during the navigation, the player will be given a lesson about one concept of OOP. The purpose of having the gaming part is just to increase and foster the interest of users to learn the knowledge. The first part of the level will be finished when the player finds all the keys scattered among the current visiting place. In addition, upon finishing the first part, the player will earn a great deal of rewards. These rewards can be used later as a helping tool in the second part of the level to pass the assigned quests. All quests are applied with basic programming knowledge through five levels in the game. First, we will introduce the basic knowledge of OOP approach to our players. They should pass through their first level when they have gone through the Objects and Classes test. In level two, the game will guide the players to learn about the control statement as well as the structure of method declaration. On the third level, the game will guide the players to learn about the array and also the three types of looping statements. On the forth level, players start to learn about the main principle of object-oriented. They will be taught about the concept of encapsulation and inheritance. At last, the game will guide the players to learn about the polymorphism principle. Quests will be assigned to the players to ensure that they truly understand the concept behind the knowledge. By completing the quest, players can continue to the next level. The game ends when the player finds all the keys and passes all the assigned quests.