A Tool for Artificial Intelligence Teaching Using Computer Games
keywords: teaching, logic, PROLOG, Program Visualization.
Abstract
The interest in Computer Science related courses is dropping considerably as reported by various universities around the world [1, 2]. Among the factors that are causing this scenario to take place, one could certainly be the way Computer Science courses are being taught.
With that in mind, we have asked if there are ways to teach Computer Science in a more engaging and interactive manner, so as to appeal to the new generation of students that grew in constant touch with one of the most complex and sophisticated categories of existing software, the interactive 3D computer games [3]. This category of software is growing more intricate, complex and rich in detail day by day. And students seem to love it.
The literature review presented in the course of this work will show that the use of computer games in teaching, especially in computer science courses, can be an effective way of providing an engaging, interactive and visually rich learning environment for students of the new generation.
With this basis, our key contributions focus on the teaching of logic in Artificial Intelligence(AI) related courses, an important area within the Computer Science Curriculum. We propose a tool for building executable specifications of AI, using the PROLOG language, in the form of interactive 3D computer games.
We understand that this tool can be used as a didactic resource for undergraduate logic courses. The main benefit is that it enables the student to explore, observe and interact with the result of his own designs, which is what seems to capture the students attention, according to researchers in the field.
We provide two scenarios: the labyrinth problem, and the Wumpus World problem, scenarios that combined can cover a large part of an undergraduate logic course Syllabus. The tool is extensible so that more scenarios can be added, by extending the framework composed of C++ classes.
The tool was used in two graduate AI courses, in the Statistic and Mathematics Institute of the University of São Paulo. We consider that the reception of the tool by the students was positive.
Bibliography
- [1] Deborah Perelman, An Academic Asks: Is Computer Science Dead?, http://www.eweek.com/ article2/0,1895,2104047,00.asp, 2007, [Online; 20-Nov-2007].
- [2] Jay Vegso, Interest in CS as a Major Drops Among Incoming Freshmen, http://www.cra. org/CRN/articles/may05/vegso, 2005, [Online; 20-Nov-2007].
- [3] Kevin J. Bierre, Phil Ventura, Andrew M. Phelps, and Christopher Egert, Motivating OOP by Blowing Things up: an Exercise in Cooperation and Competition in an Introductory Java Programming Course, SIGCSE Bull. 38 (2006), no. 1, 354–358.