Survey for Research on Using Minecraft to Teach Computer Programming

Discussion in 'Bukkit Discussion' started by cwingrav, Dec 9, 2011.

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  1. Offline

    cwingrav

    We have a Minecraft survey (only about 10 minutes needed):
    https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W7VM2VQ

    Our research project uses Minecraft as a platform to increase interest in learning Computer Programming. It is part of our larger National Science Foundation study to use games to teach. Your input will help us improve a Bukkit plugin to allow programming in Minecraft.

    The survey will ask you questions regarding: Demographic Information, Computer Usage, Video Game Playing and Minecraft Playing Experiences. This four page survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and the data will be made public after the collection period ends on December 18th, 2011.

    Please see here for more information about the Minds of Chimera project:
    https://sites.google.com/a/cwingrav.com/moc-plugins/

    Feel free to contact me with questions about the project. Apologies for cross postings.
    Cheers,
    -chad
     
  2. seems like a cool project, i knew about java before i started creating plugins for the server i'm managing and i had already completed a 1 year java course, but i must say, when you develop plugins for something you really like you learn a lot more from it, also when you have the thought in your mind that you might 1 day release this so players can have fun from something you have created, both makes you program more clean and smoothly and it also makes it worth it.
     
  3. Offline

    Vhab

    My main concern would be lack of direct feedback.
    I personally find the most essential thing in quickly learning programming is direct feedback from what the code that has been created does.
    This is why languages like PHP are incredibly popular with beginners. It allows them to save a file and refresh a page to almost instantly get the result of their labor.
    Programming for Minecraft, especially using Bukkit introduces a lot of indirection and complicated concepts.
    Though I'm making assumptions regarding the skill level of the target audience here. I'm sure this will end up being a consideration in the study. Ignore my ramblings :)

    I filled out the survey though, despite being as far from the target audience as I could be :)
     
  4. Offline

    Jaker232

    This is outrageous. When I got to the part where it said "You need to be 18 or over to participate" I closed out that tab and said "Meh". Why would you do an adult survey on a teenager community?
     
    AlbireoX and DrAgonmoray like this.
  5. Offline

    Vhab

    There's plenty of adults around in this community. Though, I wouldn't call 18 year olds adults just yet :)
    There's no reason to rage like that just because your age group is not part of this study.
     
  6. Offline

    troed

    I'm 37 and a proper Software Engineer. Am I allowed to stay?

    ;)
     
  7. Offline

    Drength

    I would be really interested to see if anything comes of this. I am planning on starting programing classes in the fall.
     
  8. Offline

    cwingrav

    I'll be posting the results after the 18th. Good luck in classes Drength.

    Regarding the 18 age limit, research is very picky about minors so the 18 limit is due to Internal Review Boards. Minecraft is a great game with a large audience and we hope all can enjoy the outcomes of our research.

    Cheers all!

    Bump... this expires the 18th. Apologies.

    EDIT by Moderator: merged posts, please use the edit button instead of double posting.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 22, 2016
  9. Offline

    croxis

    What sort of comparisons/analysis are you going to look at with this data and conclusions you are hoping to draw?
     
  10. Offline

    killroy

    can i do the survey if i have parental consent cause i'm 16
     
  11. Offline

    cwingrav

    We are currently looking at the game preferences and programming background of people that play the game.
     
  12. Offline

    cwingrav

    One more bump... deadline the 18th and then I will stop bumping. Apologies in advance.
     
  13. Offline

    AlbireoX

    Aww.. I'm not old enough.
     
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