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Ready Coder One: Collaborative Game Design-Based Learning on Gifted Fourth Graders' 21st Century Skills

Authors :
O'Grady-Jones, Mary
Grant, Michael M.
Source :
Gifted Child Today. Apr 2023 46(2):84-107.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to describe the impact of digital game building on fourth grade gifted and talented students' problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills. Increasingly, there has been a call to involve students in real-world experiences through projects that explore authentic issues using technology. Game design-based learning with its unique set of affordances may offer a path to integrating technology, computer science education, creativity, and problem-solving. Increasingly, the ability to create rather than just consume technology has gained attention linking creativity and collaboration to using coding language. In this study, data collection included student reflection journals, classroom observations, classroom video recordings, a focus group interview, and students' games. Participants came from two GT classes (n = 45). Qualitative analysis identified five themes: overcoming challenges of group work, developing a culture of collaboration, creating narrative, and connecting science, problem-solving in Scratch's coding environment, and reflecting on learning. Findings indicated involving gifted students in game design-based learning in science had a positive impact on student perceptions of problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1076-2175 and 2162-951X
Volume :
46
Issue :
2
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Gifted Child Today
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1369775
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/10762175221149259