Learning Coding Through Gaming

This chapter begins by arguing that computational thinking and coding should be included as two more C's in the Partnership for 21st Century Learning's list of essential skills. It does so by examining how coding and computational thinking can be used to manipulate people. It argues that gaming uses all the C's, including the two new ones proposed. It then explores connections between playing video games and computer programming. It claims that game-based learning would be an optimal way to leverage these connections to teach coding and describes ways in which to do so, including specific challenges that could be included in game-based learning and a sequence of introducing them so students can “level up.” It briefly examines different coding games and describes ways in which educators can create their own coding games. It concludes by arguing that educators can make the connections between gamer thinking and computational thinking visible, use games designed to teach coding, or create their own coding games to take advantage of near transfer.