LEARNING OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING PARADIGM VIA GAME-BASED LEARNING GAME – PILOT STUDY

The International Journal of Multimedia & Its Applications (IJMA) Vol.10, No.6, December 2018
DOI: 10.5121/ijma.2018.10615 186
LEARNING OBJECT-ORIENTED
PROGRAMMING PARADIGM VIA GAME-BASED
LEARNING GAME – PILOT STUDY
Wong Yoke Seng, Maizatul Hayati Mohamad Yatim, Tan Wee Hoe
Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Traditional classroom-based learning and teaching methods though established are not effective and
insufficient to deliver the object-oriented programming (OOP) to computer science undergraduates. Thus,
to resolve this issue, a game-based learning approach to enhance the student’s understanding and improve
their learning curves was adopted. Based on the three-layered game-based learning design model, the
proposed role-playing game called Odyssey of Phoenix (OoP) was resulted. To test the performance of the
OoP, a group of 20 students from the bachelor degree background of computer science who are in their
second year were offered to participate a pilot testing to evaluate the game. The outcome of the pilot testing
showed satisfactory and positive results whereby most players agreed that OoP was efficient and effective
as a learning tool for them to understand and learn about the OOP paradigm.
KEYWORDS
Learning and teaching programming, Object-Oriented programming, Education, Game-based learning
and teaching
1. INTRODUCTION
Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a fundamentally important subject required by the
Information Technology (IT) industry for all computer science or Information Communications
Technology (ICT) students [1]. However, teaching OOP to undergraduate students is challenging.
Besides that, academician needs to find other approaches that are suitable to teach the student on
the OOP subject. The paper-and-chalk based teaching method and lecture-learning-centered
approach are insufficient to educate the students on the programming-related course [2].
Thus, from this research work, a two-dimensional (2D) role-playing game named Odyssey of
Phoenix (OoP) was developed and proposed as the game-based learning to lead the undergraduate
students to learn OOP in a simple, fun and interactive way. The design of the OoP game
conceptually requires the players to solve the game stage-by-stage, whereby they can acquire the
knowledge on the OOP paradigm at the end of each task. This role-playing game is crucial for
inexperienced student who need to understand the OOP [3]. Furthermore, the game-based
learning approach is still lacking in the literature even though computer games are considered to
be efficient tools for learning OOP [4]. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to entail and confer the
development of game-based learning game (2D role-playing) to learn OOP paradigm.

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2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Different Types of Programming Teaching Game
Some of the current games exercise for learn-programming such as CodeCombat, Alice 2D and
Greenfoot, require students to practice and play with programming coding exercises [5]. For
example, in order to advance through a story setting in CodeCombat, the player needs to have the
knowledge of script languages such as python, Lua and also JavaScript and use them to compete
against other players, as shown in Figure 1.0 [6]. For the second example (Figure 2.0), Alice is a
three-dimensional (3D) animation programme which provides highly interactive and visualised
environment for the players to construct a virtual world by inserting different levels of Java
coding [7]. Meanwhile, Greenfoot (Figure 3.0) is another teaching and learning program that is
developed based on Java language [8]. This text-based programming of Greenfoot which uses
Java language can create sophisticated applications that match the students’ expectations as well
as prepare them for progression into a more general and higher level of programming
environment [9].
Figure 1.0 In-game coding exercises – Code Combat
Figure 2.0 In-Game Coding Exercises Figure 3.0 In-Game Coding Exercises
- Alice – GreenfootS
The above mentioned games require programming and coding exercises [10]. Thus, the
development of propriety game-based system for the learning of OOP without coding exercises is
necessary. For OoP, the game-based learning game focuses on the game play experience and
game mechanics to perform the learning objective, where no prior coding knowledge is required.

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2.2 Theories and Their Impact on Game-Based Learning Design
In order to develop a critical game-based learning design, several important theories need to be
considered such as Attention, Relevance, Confidence and Satisfaction (ARCS) Theory of
Motivation, Cognitive Apprenticeship, Distributed Practice, Episodic Memory, Flow Theory,
Lepper’s Instructional Design Principles for Intrinsic Motivation, Malone’s Theory of
Intrinsically Motivation Instruction, Operant Conditioning, Scaffolding, Social Learning Theory,
Self-Determination Theory and The Taxonomy of Intrinsic Motivations for Learning, as listed in
Table 1.0. However, different learning contexts require different combinations [11].
Table 1.0 Theories and Their Impact on Game-Based Learning
Theory Impact on Game-Based Learning Design
ARCS Theory of
Motivation
The obtainment of learner’s attention, the inclusion of relevant
information and the aimed of the appropriate level of challenges are
set as the basis so that the learner is confident. This theory provides
intrinsic and extrinsic motivational elements.
Cognitive Apprenticeship The authenticity of setting and environment should be assured.
Feedback and suitable guidance should also be given based on the
learner’s activity.
Distributed Practice Spaced repetition of the game content is provided by play-out over
time.
Episodic Memory Evoke learners’ emotion to more richly encode the lesson from the
game in memory
Flow Theory Maintaining the learners’ state of interest continuously. The system
also provides to the suitable challenge level.
Lepper’s Instructional
Design Principles for
Intrinsic Motivation
Include element of learner control, challenges, curiosity and
contextualization.
Malone’s Theory of
Intrinsically Motivation
Instruction
Elements of learners’ fantasy, game challenges and players’ curiosity
are included as the motivation instruction.
Operant Conditioning Appropriate incentives (badges, rewards, points) in a variable basis
are provided to maintain learners’ interest
Self-Determination Theory The learner will have the chance for autonomy, feeling of competence
and relevancy.
Social Learning Theory Model desired behavior so learner observes and internally processes
the desired behavior.
Scaffolding Typically, sufficient or greater guidance is provided for the beginners.
As the players progress, less guidance is given until a point when the
learner can solve the given tasks independently.
The Taxonomy of Intrinsic
Motivations for Learning
Both internal and external elements such as game control, game
curiosity, fantasy, competition and recognition are set as motivations.

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In the development of OoP, critical theories such as ARCS theory of motivation [12], Cognitive
Apprenticeship [13], Distributed Practice [14], Episodic Memory [15], Flow Theory [16], The
Taxonomy of Intrinsic Motivations for learning [17], Self-determination Theory [18] and Operant
Conditioning [19] and are included to ensure the entire learning process in the game is simple,
motivating, fun and interactive.
3.0 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The learning subject, OOP not only has improved the development of computer science and
technology, it is also a software pattern that practiced by most IT experts [20]. The programming
paradigm of OOP is based on several so-called mechanisms which include, interactive behavior
among the objects, classes hierarchy and well-structured objects [21]. Learning and
understanding OOP paradigm can be challenging to certain students. However, it is unavoidable
as OOP is fundamentally required for the IT industry of both students and professionals. In order
to build the proposed conceptual framework for this research, several related theories mentioned
are included based on Table 1.0. Besides all the relevant theories, instructional game design
methodology is also included in the OoP development which focuses on the conceptualization of
abstract, active experimentation, reflective observation and concrete experience [22]. Thus, the
game-learning of OoP forms a challenge cycle that involves synthesis development, elicit practice
and feedback. For this research, three (4) layers namely main layer (main), gameplay layer
(inner), learning theory layer (middle) and presentation layer (outer), form the conceptual
framework, as shown in Figure 4.0.
Figure 4.0 Game-Based Learning Conceptual Framework for learning OOP.
3.1 Main Layer
The main propose of the main layer is indicating the main research variables that required for this
research. The identified research variables in main layer are student, lecturer, learning outcome
and learning difficulties. The purpose of the research is to prepare and design a GBL game that
used as supporting tool to learn OOP paradigm. Thus, understanding the learner or student
requirement and their difficult in learning and teaching is crucial. By knowing their challenges
and difficulties, the proposed GBL game able to address these challenges and difficulties
effectively. As mentioned, the purpose of the proposed GBL game is used as supporting tool to
help lecturer to deliver the learning content accordingly. Thus it is necessary to identify the
lecturer teaching difficulties. According to several studies, some of the core issues faced by both
lecturers and students on teaching and learning of OOP were as follows [2] [23] [24] [25][7]:

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 Lack of programming knowledge
 Course structure
 Interest factor
By focusing on these issues, the proposed OPhoenix aims to eliminate such barriers on students,
barriers on lecturers as well as barriers between students and lecturers.
3.2 Gameplay Layer
The gameplay layer is playing important role that proving the guideline and process for designing
the game mechanics and ensure the proposed GBL game is include the appropriate game
mechanics. This layer constructs by four phases in sequence such as elicit performance,
challenges, feedback and synthesis. Elicit Performance means providing learning guidance with
clues or hints to help learner understand and remember what they are to learn. As for the
challenges, it refers to something that needs great effort to be done successfully and therefore
tests a person’s ability and understanding. For the feedback phase, it refers to the information
about the action executed that provides an idea of whether the action is good or bad. As or the
synthesis phase, it give learners an opportunity to demonstrate that they have learned the new
information to this point and are ready to proceed to the next part of the progress. Every game
mechanics are given a task or mission with hints and guidance of the mission completion purpose.
Player needs to obtain the hints or clues by interaction with Non-player character (NPC) in the
game world. When player executing the clue or hints, different difficulty challenges will be
include in the process. All the interaction and action executed by the player in the game will be
given feedback to alert the player [26]. By the given feedback, the player will be able to react and
decide what to do next. By completing each hints and clues, player able to synthesize the
completed hints and tasks to decide how to proceed to next clues for hints.
Figure 4.1 Gameplay of proposed GBL game.
3.3 Learning Theory Layer
There are total of four learning theories had been include to this layer such as Constructive
Theory, Bloom Taxonomy Theory, ARCS of Motivation Theory and Operant Conditioning
Theory. The reason to include this layer to this proposed conceptual framework because it is
important to include the learning theories to ensure the proposed GBL game are well develop
with the appropriate learning context and content for the learner. For example, constructive
theory used the learning experienced based on the pilot testing to improve of proposed GBL
game. As the constructive theory consisted of four phases such as orientation phase,

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brainstorming, restructuring of ideas, application ideas and application reflection, these phases
were included in the developed GBL game throughout all the proposed gameplays. For the
Bloom Taxonomy learning theory was used to retain the students’ learning interest, thus all levels
were maintained in the gameplay design as a form of game balancing experiences. Besides that,
the operant conditional theory was applied to improve the game design of proposed GBL game in
order to capture the learners’ conscious control and spontaneous action during the gameplay. For
the last learning theory, the ARCS motivational model aims to retain students’ interest and
motivation to play the proposed GBL game for improving the understanding about OOP
paradigm.
3.4 Presentation Layer
The last layer of the proposed GBL Driven Framework is presentation layer which consists of
five elements such as attention, retention, control, discovery and immersive. The presentation
layer is defining the requirements of the game User Interface design. The ultimate goal for the
presentation layer is to create immersive game user interface to ensure the player able to play the
game properly at the same time able to earn OOP paradigm. In order to achieved the ultimate
goal, several all the elements from this layer need to applied to the development of the propose
GBL game.
4. DEVELOPMENT OF ODYSSEY OF PHOENIX
The Odyssey of Phoenix (OoP) employed the Role-Playing concept to make it more exciting and
engaging. OoP is also regarded as one of the few first mobile games that learns OOP.
All the game assets used in OoP are self-drawn 2D images and characters to provide immersive
learning to the players. There are three (3) created jetties and five (5) main destinations, namely
Crystal Cave, Abandoned Warehouse, Bandit Cave, Underground Min and Bandit Cave,
available in the game world of OoP. To travel from one area to another, the player can easily
click on the area icons. Then, the area name will be shown when clicked. To ensure easy-to-use
interface for gaming purpose, the interface of OoP is designed based on mobile applications.
Furthermore, the game storyline is attractively narrated with pleasant game graphic, interesting
sound and music, eye-catching animation as well as nice character design.
5. GAME WORLD DESIGN
As mentioned, OoP is a 2D mobile game designed for the players to learn OOP concept and
paradigm. By following the game flow, the players are set to learn how to construct a virtual
spaceship by performing and completing all the game quests. The following section entails the
storyline for OoP:
“The game story begins in an apocalypse galaxy, at one of the planets. The main character in OoP
is Kyle, the second prince of the Exora planet. Being treated as a threat to the King’s throne, he
was defamed and charged with treason. For his sentence, he was exiled from his own home planet
forever. However, while on his way to the prison planet, his transportation space shuttle was
attacked and soon crashed landed on an unknown area of the prison planet. Kyle was saved by a
kind and mysterious old man. As a result from the crash, he suffered from amnesia. The warmth

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and kind presence of the old man made Kyle feel safe. Slowly, Kyle recovered from his injury.
Soon after, the old man revealed his plan to build a spacecraft as a mean to escape this planet.
The first task of the game was collection of data. Kyle was tasked to reclaim a logbook containing
critical information for the spacecraft parts from the bandits. By completing each task, Kyle
managed to obtain the required materials to build parts of the spacecraft. During his journey on
the assembly of his escape spacecraft, Kyle regained his memory and vowed to take back his own
home planet from the corrupted. Finally, with the space shuttle completed, the old man who
saved Kyle died of a natural cause. After bidding farewell to the old man, Kyle shed his final
tears and took off with their spacecraft, Phoenix. Kyle landed safely back to his home planet and
secretly planned to start a revolution. In the next phase, he sought loyal allies within the town and
gradually built his military strength by recruiting mercenaries and soldiers. After months, the
military strength was strong and stable for a revolution. At the end, the game reached its final
chapter when Kyle faced his betrayer, who was also his own brother, Vesper. Kyle defeated
Vesper and his men. However, it was revealed that the true mastermind behind of the betrayal
was his uncle. But he was long gone before the war fire ended. After the revolution, Vesper was
not exiled but sentenced to be imprisoned within his room because he was used and manipulated
by his own uncle. The story ended with his uncle still at large, but, his home planet was finally in
peace.“
OoP indeed provides an interesting storyline to its players. Furthermore, OoP is also a standalone
programme in which the players can choose to play and learn at his own pace and time. By going
through the game, players will understand the OOP fundamental and concept with the gaming
part retaining their interest and enhancing their learning curve. All basic OOP concepts and
elements such as encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism are found in the game. In addition
to that, some basic programming concepts are included in the game to improve the learning of
OOP. Each quest is embedded with programming ideas and well-distributed through the two
planets in the game. With all those interesting elements, OoP is set to be a promoter to smoothen
the learning path of OOP concepts.
From the first planet, the basic OOP paradigm is indirectly taught to the players. In this first task,
Kyle (or the player) needs to collect materials and resources to build a spaceship. The obtained
logbook will provide hints such as the amount of materials, location, method and description of
crafting. The obtained hints represent the collection of a class and object (encapsulation) in the
OOP design. Upon the success of parts’ crafting, the pseudocode obtained from this process is
one of the OOP learning processes (Figure 5.0). Furthermore, there are eight (8) items to be
crafted to build the spaceship. These items include craft’s wings, cargo bay, craft’s tail, main
gear, nose gear, main engine, obituary engine and flying deck. Each crafting quest is designed to
make sure that the player comprehends the concepts of OOP. The inheritance concept is also
included in the crafting quest. For example, the main gear and nose gear are the types of gear
used in this spaceship. Therefore, the resources for these two (2) items are shared. The
lightweight metal and scrap metal parts are needed to build a gear. The nose gear however
required extra resource such as cerusite. By collecting and using the given hints, the inheritance
concept is taught to the player as he will need to figure out that that the basic and required
resources can be used to build both items. But, with one (1) extra resource, another type of gear
can be created or crafted. In OoP, the player will be challenged as well as rewarded for his/ her
game enthusiasm, whereby he will be encouraged to proceed in learning new programming
technique from time to time.

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Figure 5.0 In-game Class Structure in Pseudo code and Class Hierarchy
6. ODYSSEY OF PHOENIX WITH CONSTRUCTIVE ALIGNMENT
The alignment of the learning outcomes with the game mechanics is very important to make sure
that the gameplay and the game mechanics are suitable and effective to achieve the learning
outcome. The proposed game is adapting Biggs’ constructive alignment [27] to align the
gameplay with learning outcomes.
There are two (2) major concepts from the constructive alignment from Biggs are shown below
[28]:
- Ways to get students involve in learning process to achieve the intended objectives
- Ways to set up a teaching and learning conditions that support the learning activities
Table 2.0 – Table 4.0 and Figure 6.0 – Figure 7.0 indicate the intended learning outcome with
respect to the game elements of the proposed game. This so-called constructive alignment of OoP
matches the observable behavior, condition of attainment and degree of attainment (the intended
outcomes) with the set game rules, targets and interactive feedback (structural elements) [29].

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Table 2.0 Constructive Alignment 1
Figure 6.0 In-game Object Creation (Crafting Process)

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Figure 7.0 in-game Multiple Choice Question
7. PILOT STUDY
A pilot study is a preliminary study that helps researchers get an initial overview to identify how
the games are developed, how the games are to be used and what are the problems encountered.
Moreover, the pilot testing can help to identify the problems and their solutions before the actual
launching of tools as well as improve the game instrument. The trial study conducted only
included one class of students in an actual environment with twenty (20) subjects. The collection
of quantitative data was performed by using the pre-test and post-test. While for the qualitative
data were obtained through interviews. Suggestions to improvement the game instrument were
then summarized based on both the quantitative and qualitative results obtained. The
effectiveness of the proposed game and the elements in the prototype that required improvement
were also identified from this trial test. The trial study was divided into two (2) parts: a pilot
study to test the validity and reliability of the research instrument and the reliability of the pre-
test and post-test, respectively.

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7.1 Sampling for Pilot Study
Based on the literature, a total of 10 to 12 participants were found to be sufficient for the
evaluation of instrument as well as the identification of critical questions and instructions for OoP
development. Therefore, for this game trial testing, a total of twenty (20) computer science
students from year one programme, KDU University College, were randomly selected. The test
samples/ subjects were randomised for the pilot testing, which acquired the key information
before the actual research was performed [30]. The 20 participated students are divided equally
in two groups, which are control group and focus group. Student who under the control group
will be only participated the pre-test and post-test without playing the proposed game. However
students are under focus group will be participated the pre-test and post-test with playing the
proposed game.
7.1.1 Selected Participants
All the participated students are having the same level of knowledge before conducting the pre-
test. This is because all of them pass the fundamental of programming subject with minimal C
grade.
7.1.2 Pre-test and Post-test
The structure of both test (pre and post) were divided to two parts. First part of the tests was
designed to have four sub-sections comprised of 40 multiple-choice questions. Each sub-section
possessed 10 questions, assessing concepts such as classes and objects, encapsulation, inheritance
and polymorphism. Second part of the tests was designed to contain 30 fill-in-the-blank questions
which covered overall OOP concept. The learning contents were intended to be identical for both
tests, but the questions were designed differently. To eliminate the external influence on the
proposed GBL game testing, the testing environment for these test were ensure to be identical
during the conducts of experiments. The six subject experience lecturers were recorded for the
validation of the pre-test and post-test using a validation form. In the validation process, the
learning content, question grouping, and question design were reviewed and validated
accordingly by the lecturers to be aligned suitably with the proposed OOP paradigm learning
contents such as encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism.
7.2 Procedure for Pilot Testing
To identify the understanding level of selected students towards OOP before the pilot testing,
both groups were given a set of pre-test questions that consisted of 40 multiple-choice questions
and fill-in-the-blank questions (with a total 100 marks). The duration for the pre-test was set to be
90 minutes. After completion of the pre-test, only the focus group students were given the
proposed game to play for one (1) month without disrupting their daily lesson. After 1 month of
game testing, all the participated students were provided a set of post-test questions containing
with 40 multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank questions with a total mark of 100, to be
completed within 90 minutes as well. In order to achieve the pilot testing mentioned objectives,
interview were also carried out with the selected student. The duration of interview was one (1)
hour. The pre-test and post-test had been validated by six (6) subject experts who are teaching

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object-oriented programming for more than 7 years to ensure all the questions listed in both tests
are relevant and math to the learning content.
8. FINDINGS
The pre-test and post-test scores from focus and control group are presented in section, as
comparison of achievement. As can be observed, the pre-test was performed and its results were
obtained before the trial of game-based learning game. The post-test was performed after one
month trial of OoP. Since the pre-test and post-test questions were testing the same topics but
with different scenario and question construction, the obtained results showed that majority of the
post-test scores were higher compared to the pre-test scores. Ten (10) students from focus group
were participated to a questionnaire and five (5) of them had been selected for interviewed to
obtain their players’ feedback. Most of them felt OoP was enjoyable and by playing the proposed
game, the OOP paradigm could be understood relatively easier.
8.1 Analysis of Student Performance in Control Group
According to table 5.0, the lowest score and highest score for pre-test is 29 and 48. As for the
lowest and highest score for post-test is 28 and 53 respectively. The lowest score increase in pre-
test and post-test is 2 that achieved by student S2. Total of four students (S3, S6, S7, S9) obtain
same score for pre-test and post-test. While the highest score increase in pre-test and post-test is 5
achieved by student S8. For the score decrement in pre-test and post test is -1 achieved by student
S1 and S5. The total students that obtaining score increment is 4 out of 10 (which equal to 40%) ,
4 student obtaining same score (which equal to 40%) and only 2 student obtaining score
decrement (which equal to 20%).
Table 5.0 Pre-Test and Post-Test result from Control Group
Table 6.0 Paired Sample Statistic for Pre-Test and Post-Test from Control Group
Paired Sample Statistics
Mean N Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean
Pair 1 Pre-test 40.6 10 6.240 1.974
Post-test 41.7 10 6.929 2.191

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Paired sample t-test is conducted for testing the significant mean score in pre-test and post-test.
The analysis result of paired sample t-test is shown n table 6.0. Form the table 6.0, the mean
score for control group is 1.1 (from 40.6 – 41.7).
Table 7.0 Paired t-test for Pre-Test and Post-Test from Control Group
Table 8.0 Mark difference before and after using the proposed game-based learning game from Control
Group
According to table 7.0, the SPSS analysis showed the significant value is 0.1199 which less than
the standard 0.025 value. Thus, it means there is not statistically significant in pre-test and post-
test for the control group.
8.2 Analysis of Student Performance in Focus Group
According to table 9.0, the lowest score and highest score for pre-test is 27 and 42. As for the
lowest and highest score for post-test is 34 and 49 respectively. The lowest score increase in pre-
test and post-test is 1 that achieved by student S8. All the students from focus group are achieving
score increment (100%). Total of 5 students (S2, S4, S5, S8 and S9) obtained score increment
between 1 to 10 scores, 4 students (S1, S3, S7 and S10) obtained score increment between 10 –
19 scores and only 1 student (S6) obtained score increment more than 20 score.
Table 9.0 Pre-Test and Post-Test result from Focus Group
Table 10.0 Paired Sample Statistic for Pre-Test and Post-Test from Focus Group

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Paired sample t-test is conducted for testing the significant mean score in pre-test and post-test to
the focus group. The analysis result of paired sample t-test is shown n table 10.0. Form the table
10.0, the mean score for control group is 8.4 (from 33.8 to 42.2).
Table 11.0 Paired t-test for Pre-Test and Post-Test from Focus Group
Table 12.0 Mark difference before and after using the proposed game-based learning game from
Focus Group
From the table 7.0, the SPSS analysis showed the significant value is 0.002 which less than the
standard 0.025 value. Thus, it means there is statistically significant in pre-test and post-test for
the Focus group. Result obtained showed that the post-test score was higher than the pre-test
score for both group. Besides that, the significant value for both groups also less than 0.025.
However the significant value for focus group less than control group that showed from the above
SPSS statistic analysis. The significant value for focus group is 0.0002 compare to the control
group significant value is 0.1199. The huge different showed the focus group that learning object-
oriented programming with the proposed game as supportive learning tool is significantly
improve the player learning process and understanding.

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8.3 Questionnaire Analysis
A set of questionnaire that consists of 10 questions was giving to all the participated focus group
students. The given questionnaire mainly serves as a platform for the student to comment and
provide constructive opinions about the game. First question is to find out the gender of the
participated students. According to the data or feedback obtain from the questionnaires, 86%
from the student responded game based learning approach is better than traditional teaching
approach. As mentioned user interface design for the game is one of the significant element to
provide an effective learning environment, this can be shown by the data obtained which 86% of
the students agreed that the user interface is a significant element for game based learning
environment. Another important element for game based learning mentioned is in-game
storyboard. There are two way to carry out the in-game storyline to the student which are
narrative approach and simulation approach. Based on the response given by the student, 60% of
them prefer simulation approach compare to narrative approach, which is only 40%. Besides
that, another major objective for this questionnaire is to find out which game genre is the best for
the computer game to teach and learn object-oriented programming. From the participated
student response, 50% of them selected Role Playing Game, 30% selected Puzzle game and 20%
selected Simulation Game. Besides the quantifiable data, five participated students had been
randomly selected to for interview in order to obtain their feedback regarding to the prosed game
that developed with Game-based learning framework. In general, all five students are enjoy
playing the proposed game-based learning game and agreed on the proposed gameplay able to
help them to get better understanding on the Object-Oriented Programming paradigms. Some of
the constructive idea to improve the proposed game given by these student as shown below:
 More animation feature and better graphic user interface as motivation for the student to
retain focus
 More puzzle games needed to make it more challenging for the students
 Include more advanced topic of object oriented programming and provide more problem
solving based learning example
 Include more fun element by adding more interaction such as surprise facts, reward
system and etc.
As a summary, most of the students agreed that the computer game able to meet the learning and
teaching objective. Besides that, all of them agreed that game based learning is an effective tool
for learning and teaching object oriented programming. The subject experts are satisfied with the
proposed game-based learning game.
9. CONCLUSION
The proposed research identified a game-based learning game which covered the OOP paradigm.
By making the learning experience and process fun and attractive, the development of OoP
encourages the student to learn OOP in a simpler way. The game-based learning was found to be
useful as the learning approach for OOP teaching according to the results obtained from the pilot
testing. Furthermore, the pilot testing also showed that students were actively learning and
applying OOP paradigm according to the game level and the game mechanics. Therefore, OoP

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has demonstrated its efficiency as a game-based learning tool for tertiary level education. In the
future, by combining the novel game-based learning and the traditional teaching practices, the
teaching of OOP to students will be more effective and efficient. This is because game-based
learning could motivate students to learn OOP topics in a more fun, challenging and engaging
environment. The main challenge for this research is to ensure the learning implicit while making
the teaching game fun and interesting to retain students’ motivation. With regards to those issues,
the development of OoP not only addresses those challenges, but also provides a feasible and
novel teaching technique to the education field.
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AUTHORS
Jason Wong is a Senior Lecturer at KDU University College, Malaysia. He received a
B.S degree in Information System Engineering from Campbell University and M.S.C in
Computer Game Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, UK. He has been
teaching game design and game programming related subject for over 12 years and
actively involved in game related research projects. His current research involves using
computer game as learning tool for learning object-oriented programming in tertiary
level.
Maizatul Hayati Mohamad Yatim is an associate professor and faculty Dean at Faculty
of Art, Computing and Creative Industry, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI). Her
research interest is in Human-Computer Interaction, IT Project Management, Multimedia
in Education, Edutainment and Children and Games Design & Development.
Tan Wee Hoe is an associate professor at Faculty of Art, Computing and Creative
Industry, Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI). His research interest is in Game
production (design & production management); Game-based learning & learn-based
gaming strategies; Animation Production (methods & technologies); E-Learning
Technologies; Instructional System Design; Application of Sun Tzu's The Art of War
principles in research (academic & commercial), teaching & learning.

LEARNING OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING PARADIGM VIA GAME-BASED LEARNING GAME – PILOT STUDY

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