Transforming Experience of Computer Science Software Development through Multiplayer Online Game Classroom Collaboration in Industrial Format

这门创新的软件开发课程正在旧金山弗朗西斯科州立大学和加州州立大学洛杉矶开发和测试一种新的计算机科学教学方法。在模拟典型行业工作环境的教室里，学生们使用各种复杂的软件组件集体创建和构建多人在线游戏。在这个过程中，学生们正在开发：（1）有效的沟通，演示，协作和解决问题的技能;（2）提高动力，掌握核心计算机科学内容;（3）一个强大的最终产品;和（4）实际的见解，为他们在工业界的成功职业生涯做好准备。可扩展的游戏编程课程包括一套教学材料与附带的文档，所有这些都免费提供给教育界。计算机科学教师可以灵活地采用这些材料，包括那些没有足够的背景来开发多人在线游戏编程或高级软件设计课程的教师。该项目是加州州立大学系统的两个校区的合作项目，该系统是美国最大和种族最多样化的高等教育系统之一，目前正在地区和全国范围内推广。创新的课程设计吸引了那些传统上没有被STEM教育吸引的学生，包括许多在两个试点校区大量入学的少数民族学生。该项目通过免费提供学生制作的游戏来接触公众，从而使非科学家轻松接触基本的计算机科学概念，并可能激励年轻人考虑软件开发职业。

This innovative software development course is developing and testing a novel approach to computer science instruction at San Francisco State University and California State University Los Angeles. In classrooms emulating typical industry work environments, students are collectively creating and building a Multiplayer Online Game using a variety of complex software components. In the process, students are developing: (1) effective communication, presentation, collaboration and trouble-shooting skills; (2) heightened motivation to master core computer science content; (3) a robust end product; and (4) practical insights to prepare them for successful careers in industry.The scalable game programming course includes a suite of instructional materials with accompanying documentation, all of which are being made freely available to the educational community. Materials can be flexibly adopted by computer science instructors including those who do not have sufficient background to develop multiplayer online game programming or senior-level software design courses on their own.The project is a collaboration of two campuses in the California State University System--one of the nation's largest and most ethnically diverse systems of higher education--and is being disseminated regionally and nationally. The innovative course design appeals to students who have not traditionally been attracted to STEM education, including many from minorities underrepresented in the sciences that enroll in large numbers at the two pilot campuses. The project reaches out to the public by making the student-produced games freely available, thereby playfully exposing non-scientists to essential computer science concepts and potentially inspiring young people to consider careers in software development.