Game Design with Pocket Code: Providing a Constructionist Environment for Girls in the School Context

Abstract

The widespread use of mobile phones is changing how learning takes place in many disciplines and contexts. As a scenario in a constructionist learning environment, students are given powerful tools to create games using their own ideas. In the "No One Left Behind" (NOLB) project we will study through experimental cycles whether the use of mobile game design has an impact on learning, understanding, and retention of knowledge for students at risk of social exclusion. We will use the mobile learning app Pocket Code with partner schools in three countries: Austria, Spain, and the UK. This paper focuses on the Austrian pilot, which is exploring gender inclusion in game creation within an educational environment. We first study differences in game creation between girls and boys. This study that started in September 2015, will help teachers to integrate Pocket Code effectively into their courses. For future studies an enhanced school version of Pocket Code will be designed using the results and insights gathered at schools with pupils and teachers.