The Pedagogical Potential of Game Jams

In this paper the authors explore the implications and pedagogical potential of game jams. While game jams have been noted for enhancing teamwork, communication, and project management skill-sets, in this paper the authors explore the potential educational benefits of Game Jams. Through an analysis of the academic results of the participants of a game jam site as compared to the control group of non-jam participants, the authors conclude that participation in game jams appear to have a positive impact on students' academic performance in many computing classes. The analysis includes a detailed comparison of over 70,000 student performance measures in general computing courses, focused/higher-level computer science courses, game design and development courses, software engineering courses, and mathematics courses. The results from this study may be used by other academic organizations to provide support for hosting game jam activities.

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