This project aims to apply “gamification” pedagogy in design and development of a new approach to the introductory computer science courses in Python. The outcome, a persistent, immersive digital environment called term-world provides both a playground and persistent digital metaphor through which to consider real-world ethical and civil questions regarding governance, justice, equity, and other social infrastructures not typically included in CS education. This project leverages interdisciplinary principles and considers students as co-developers to explore new applications of pedagogy not necessarily limited to the discipline of computer science.
This work has generously been funded by the Allegheny College Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (URSCA) office, namely through the following Allegheny College internal funding sources:
- McCune Dean’s Fund for Student and Faculty Research fund
- Louis Jefferson Long Student/Faculty Research fund
- Richard J. Cook & Teresa M. Lahti Endowment for Research and Creative Activity fund
In addition, the project owes gratitude for funding from:
- Allegheny College Computer Science Technical Advisory Board
We are grateful for their support of this project.
This work is intellectually indebted to Donald Bitzer's creation of the PLATO system, which we learned about by way of Brian Dear's compelling, well-researched account of that system, The Friendly Orange Glow.