Game Maker as a First Programming Course
Transcript of Game Maker as a First Programming Course
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Game Maker as a First
Programming Course
Presented by:
Jeff CiaccioSprayberry High School
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Game Maker is FUN!!
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Game Maker is FUN!!
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Did I mention
Game Maker is FUN!!
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Did I mention
The Java fun??
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Game Maker is intuitive just drag
and drop.
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Game Maker was developed by a
Computer Science Professor Dr. Mark Overmars
Started with Object Oriented Programming
(OOP) principles
Made development much faster, easier,more intuitive, and very little typing
Less typing means less chance of mistyping(one of the biggest problems in traditional
programming languages)
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Much easier for hands-on and visual
learners GM allows the students to immediately see
the results
Makes teaching abstract concepts much
easier than traditional lecture using Java,
C++, or others
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Much easier for hands-on and visual
learners GM incorporates abstract concepts including:
Inheritance
Polymorphism
Control structures
Objects
Instances Events
Actions
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GM puts the scienceback in computer
science GM makes it easy for students to play
what if and immediately see their results
Easy to modify others programs
Drag and drop allows for very fast and easy
changes as opposed to learning complex
and very strict programming syntax
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GM has a very dynamic online
community willing to help
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GM was designed as an educational
tool!
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GM was designed as an educational
tool! There is a plethora of educational resources
already available from primary school
through undergraduate and beyond
Lecture notes are free
Resources such as sound files, pictures,
monsters, scripts, etc are available for free
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GM has been successfully used for years
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Did I mention the price?
Most teachers are using their own (free)
resources, but the only two books available
are only $25 per copy, maybe less ifpurchased in bulk
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GM has a full OOP
language
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GM Language
Syntax is similar to Java (required for AP
Computer Sci)
All of the traditional control structures
All of the traditional data structures
Variable declarations are similar to Java
Allows for interacting with Windows OS
through the use ofDLLs
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Recruitment!! Kids (particularly boys) are attracted to making
and playing video games
When the concepts get more difficult, there is animmediate, gratifying goal a game to play!
The transition to Java will be easy
There are many books on using Java for gamedesign that could be used for an advanced course
just before AP Computer Science.
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GM uses a full programming ID
E - not text Students are familiar with forms found in most
applications
They get bored with programs that are text-based(like the Hello World program in every Javatext).
GM allows students to see the advantages of using
an IntegratedD
evelopment Environment (ID
E) Student who have used an IDE will be more
productive Java programmers when other IDEs areused.
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GM is easier for new teachers! Teachers who are not experts in Java may be
unwilling to teach a programming course
In-house expertise: Jeff Ciaccio at Sprayberry HSis willing to host CCSD training for other teachers
Consulting:Dr. Ken Hoganson at Kennesaw State
University has taught courses with GM and is
willing to assist with training (Jeff Ciaccios
Graduate Advisor)