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Title: Position: IntelliBlox: A Toolkit for Integrating Block-Based Programming into Game-Based Learning Environments
Block-based programming languages reduce the need to learn low-level programming syntax while enabling novice learners to focus on computational thinking skills. Game-based learning environments have been shown to create effective and engaging learning experiences for students in a broad range of educational domains. The fusion of block-based programming with game-based learning offers significant potential to motivate learners to develop computational thinking skills. A key challenge educational game developers face in creating rich, interactive learning experiences that integrate computational thinking activities is the lack of an embeddable block-based programming toolkit. Current block-based programming languages, such as Blockly and Scratch, cannot be easily embedded into industry-standard 3D game engines. This paper presents IntelliBlox, a Blockly-inspired toolkit for the Unity cross-platform game engine that enables learners to create block-based programs within immersive game-based learning environments. Our experience using IntelliBlox suggests that it is an effective toolkit for integrating block-based programming challenges into game-based learning environments.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1921495 1640141 1934153 1934128 1921503
NSF-PAR ID:
10162220
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
2019 IEEE Blocks and Beyond Workshop (B&B)
Page Range / eLocation ID:
55 to 58
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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