Development of a Pedagogical Computer Game Engine Library in Support of Computer Science Education

这是一个概念验证项目，其中开发了支持各种计算机游戏类型开发的软件模块。这些软件模块可以用来教大学生电脑游戏设计和开发。该软件还可以用作本科生探索许多计算机科学学科的外壳，学生可以用自己的模块替换其中一个模块，从而使他们能够专注于特定的CS学科，从基本数据结构和算法，到数据库管理，并发编程问题，网络协议设计，分布式系统和安全，图形编程，用户界面设计，和人工智能算法的设计;但仍然有能力创造一个电脑游戏。计算机游戏环境提供了一个非常强大的动机结构，大多数计算机科学专业的学生都有一种天然的亲和力。将这些学科置于计算机游戏的结构中有助于学生具体化和应用所研究的概念。该软件由密歇根大学的本科生和研究生开发。该项目的成果和软件通过适当的会议和互联网传播给更广泛的计算机游戏和计算机科学界。在密歇根大学，PI自1997年以来一直提供计算机游戏课程，coPI一直教授计算机网络课程。这两个项目研究所都开发了各自领域的教学软件包，全国其他大学的院系都在使用。

This is a proof of concept project in which software modules that support the development of a variety of computer game genres are developed. These software modules can be used to teach undergraduates computer game design and development. The software can also be used as a shell for explorations of many computer science disciplines for undergraduates where students can replace one of the modules with their own, thereby allowing them to concentrate on specific CS disciplines ranging from basic data structures and algorithms, to database management, issues in concurrent programming, design of network protocols, distributed systems and security, graphics programming, user interface design, and design of artificial intelligence algorithms; but still having the ability to create a computer game. The computer gaming context provides a very strong motivational construct to which most computer science students have a natural affinity. Placing these disciplines within the construct of a computer game helps students concretize and apply the concepts studied. The software is developed by University of Michigan undergraduate and graduate students. The results and software of this project are disseminated to the broader computer games and computer science community via appropriate conferences and the Internet. At the University of Michigan, the PI has been offering a Computer Games course since 1997 and the coPI has been teaching a Computer Networks course. Both PIs have developed pedagogical software packages in their respective fields that have been used by faculties in other universities nationwide.