Co-Designing a Computer Science Learning Game for Girls with Girls

Abstract

Developing computer games in which the player also learns something is not easy. In this work, we explore how we can use a co-design approach to develop a computer science learning game. We collect ideas and iterate over the prototypes in four workshops conducted together with several young girls. During the workshops, we bounce ideas around and develop the high-level concepts of the computer game, while in between the workshops we first create physical and then digital prototypes of the computer game. In the end, we evaluate the workshops and the game with an extensive questionnaire and discussion rounds.

The contribution of this work is twofold. First, we present a video game that lets the player develop their own theories about shortest paths and scheduling. Secondly, we provide the reader with a tool kit of insights and resources for developing a video game with the co-design approach with children.