Motivation to Learning Computer Programing Using a Game Application

Abstract

Computer programming is a course studied in almost all fields; nevertheless, the survey found that many students obtain low grades or withdraw from the computer programming course because the students lack the motivation to learn. This article proposes the development of a game application for motivating computer programming learning. The contents of computer programming lessons are designed in the game style. In addition, gamification concepts encourage the students to learn the lessons. This research assesses the student’s motivation to study the C language program. The sample consisted of 245 students studying C language. The motivation assessment questionnaire was divided into seven aspects, namely 1) a Future-oriented person, 2) an Ambitious person, 3) a Diligent person, 4) a Success-oriented person, 5) a Responsible person, 6) a Hardworking person, and 7) a Venturesome person. The evaluation results indicated that the game application encourages students to learn computer programming. When considering students’ motivation before and after learning using the game application, the results revealed that the average motivation in all seven aspects increased significantly. The aspect of ambitious person differed significantly at the 0.01 level, while the aspects of future-oriented, diligent, responsible, hardworking, and venturesome persons differed significantly at the 0.05 level.