Teaching of SQL Through a Game

Abstract

The project seeks to provide an effective alternate method for teaching SQL through the use of a Game. There is value in learning SQL, as SQL skills are still in the top ten list of sought after IT skills for 2015 (Greenspan, 2014). However, lecture based teaching may not fully engage the learner. Therefore, the game was constructed with the MDA framework and Problem-Based Learning in mind. These methods help the learner bridge the gaps between lesson content, problems, and solutions. The game itself was constructed with MSSQL, Adobe Cold Fusion, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The game presents lessons on SQL concepts and quiz-based challenges for students to solve. Students faced increasingly difficult challenges as their level SQL knowledge expanded. The project may be found here: http://www.patrickward.net/SQLGame/