GBGD for CT
Introduction

Introduction

Grid-Based Game Design for Computational Thinking introduces a hands-on approach to developing computational thinking (CT) through grid-based and board game projects. This chapter outlines the book’s approach by integrating key paradigms and applying APIs practically. Through Game-Based Learning (GBL), it examines how Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and Functional Programming (FP) complement each other, offering hands-on experience with the p5.js framework and the p5.quadrille.js library. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of community engagement, highlighting the UNGames group’s role in organizing game jams and workshops to enhance the learning experience.

The chapter is structured as follows:

  • Intended Audience – Defines the primary readership, including university students, educators, researchers, digital board game developers, and self-learners. It highlights how the book caters to different levels of experience, from those learning OOP and FP fundamentals to readers looking to deepen their knowledge.
  • Game-Based Learning – Introduces GBL, focusing on game design as a teaching strategy and serious games for domain-specific concepts. Presents the p5.quadrille.js library and its structured development methodology, enabling the digital implementation of board games to teach OOP, FP, and game mechanics. Encourages community-driven learning through game jams, workshops, and tool development.
  • Grid-Based Games – Explores how discrete grids underpin a wide range of board and puzzle games (e.g., Chess, Go, Tetris, 2048). Highlights computational thinking aspects—from polyomino generation to algorithmic complexity—and shows how such structures can be leveraged with p5.quadrille.js for interactive learning and game development.
  • OOP Paradigm – Explains OOP as a way to model software through objects, attributes, and methods. Covers the three key steps: declaration, initialization, and usage, with practical examples in p5.js.
  • APIs and Programmer Roles – Discusses the importance of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and the two main roles developers play:
    • Designers & Developers, who create APIs.
    • Users, who integrate them into applications.
      Introduces p5.quadrille.js for API practice and handpan for API design exploration.
  • FP Paradigm – Introduces FP and its role in breaking down programs into modular, reusable functions. Covers:
    • Decomposing programs as functions for clarity and maintainability.
    • Passing functions as parameters, as seen in visitQuadrille.
    • Higher-order functions, demonstrated in Platonic Cells.

This chapter provides a well-rounded introduction to programming paradigms and API usage, offering practical applications in p5.js and p5.quadrille.js.