RegexMon: An RPG for Teaching Regular Expressions in Computing Education
Resumo
Introduction: Regular expressions are a foundational topic in Computing curricula, yet difficult to teach due to compact notation, limited feedback, and scarce educational games. Objective: This paper presents RegexMon, an RPG developed in Godot 4 to support teaching regular expressions in undergraduate courses. Stages: The game follows a design-based research approach and features a two-phase turn-based battle system: in the attack phase, players construct strings matching a generated regex; in the defense phase, they synthesize a regex that accepts and rejects given string sets, addressing core competencies. Concept progression is organized into six leagues aligned with the typical curriculum. Expected Results: RegexMon is expected to improve student competence in regex recognition and synthesis, reduce diagnostic difficulties, and increase engagement through open-world exploration and procedural encounters.
Referências
Hosseini, H.; Hartt, M. and Mostafapour, M. (2019). Learning is child's play: game-based learning in computer science education. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, v. 19, n. 3, p. 1–18.
Jargas, A. M. (2012). Expressões Regulares: Uma Abordagem Divertida. 3. ed. São Paulo: Novatec.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Lave, J. and Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pérez, E. del M.; Duque, A. P. G. and García, L. C. F. (2018). Game-based learning: increasing the logical-mathematical, naturalistic, and linguistic learning levels of primary school students. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, v. 7, n. 1, p. 31–39.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
