Minds In Play

Computer Game Design as a Context
for Children's Learning



Yasmin B. Kafai

University of California, Los Angeles



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface Seymour Papert ix

Introduction xiii


Chapter 1 · Learning Through Design: Review of Theory and Research Issues 1

Research Issues Pursued in the Game Design Project 1
Review of Theory: Learning through Design 6
Review of Research: Learning of Logo Programming
and Fractions 17


Chapter 2 · Creating and Researching the Learning Environment 30

Creating the Learning Environment: Game Design Project 30
Researching the Learning Environment 37


Chapter 3 · Project Evolution 51

Evolution of Game Ideas 52
Design Styles 70
Discussion of Project Evolution 83


Chapter 4 · Case Studies of Game Designers 88

Amy as a Game Designer 90
Sid as a Game Designer 149
Albert as a Game Designer 199


Chapter 5 · Learning Through Design: A Comparative Evaluation 246

Results of the Comparative Evaluation 249
Discussion of Results From the Comparative Evaluation 267


Chapter 6 · Discussion of Conclusions 286

1. Making Games For Learning 288
2. Individual Styles Developing over Time 290
3. Learning Culture of the Game Design Project 293
4. Learning about "Learning through Design" 296
5. Programming as a Tool for Personal Expression
and Knowledge Reformulation 298
6. Constructing Mathematical Representations for Learning 301
7. Some Thoughts about Future Computational Learning
Environments for Young Designers 304


Coda 310

Acknowledgments 311

References 314

Author Index 325

Subject Index 331


 

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