Decreasing Attrition Using Animated Virtual Worlds

St Joseph'S University, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary This proof of concept project develops a set of instructional materials for teaching fundamental programming concepts using an exciting simulation and visualization package. This package provides an environment that supports the creation of 3-dimensional, interactive, animated virtual worlds (which can be easily built by novices!). It is expected that this approach will strengthen and enhance student skills as well as provide sufficient programming experience to improve student performance and retention in introductory computer science (CS 1) and beyond. The results of this project will be the creation of a set of instructional materials: textbook, laboratory exercises, lecture and demonstration slides, and a reference for the animation software, and the collection and analysis of preliminary data on the use of these materials. All curricular materials will be freely available and disseminated online.