Mobile Games in Computer Science Education: Current State and Proposal of a Mobile Game Design that Incorporates Physical Activity

Abstract

The aim of this study is to pinpoint the possibilities and perspectives that mobile games offer to computer science education. In the study, first, prior research on the utilization of mobile games in computer science education is summarized. A specific type of context-aware games, location-based games (LBGs), which combine players' outdoor physical activity with exploratory, problem-solving learning activities, is also presented. What is more, popular platforms (that can be used by computer science educators, for the creation of educational LBGs) are described and compared, and a framework of a research in progress is presented. This research concerns the design, implementation, and evaluation of an LBG for learning concepts relevant to safe Internet use while at the same time encouraging players' physical activity. This LBG is aimed at upper secondary school students for use in their free time outside school and/or young adults.