Design and develop a game for young students to learn essential programming skills: KodeFlo

Abstract

Coding education started 50 years ago with a mechanical tortoise. Developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, TORTIS (Toddler's Own Recursive Turtle Interpreter System) is a gadget for young children to learn programming concepts while having fun [1]. Today, block coding is the most used model to teach programming to children and beginners. Scratch is one such example.

This project aims to create a video game, named KodeFlo, that helps upper primary and lower secondary school students in learning programming concepts. Other visual programming techniques like using flowchart with intuitive design to code will be explored. It will also promote essential soft skills (such as problem-solving skills, etc.) through deliberate game design.

A two-dimensional (2D) game will be developed using Unity and Microsoft Azure Cloud technology to teach young students programming concepts using a different visual approach. KodeFlo will be improved by consistent research and analysis as well as seeking feedback from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).