Support for independent learning in evolving computer science disciplines

This paper addresses the challenges of teaching rapidly evolving academic disciplines and argues about the necessity of incorporating self-directed learning in areas where knowledge and skills change fast. We propose a teaching method, which aims at increasing students´ engagement and involvement in the learning process. To foster self-directed learning the proposed method leverages motivational mechanisms found in games. Adding game-inspired elements in learning is aimed at environments where learners naturally want to succeed while perceiving what they do as interesting. In addition, the proposed approach gives instructors access to new types of analytics yielding data that speaks to the learning processes, in contrast to simply reporting student outcomes.