Effects of Collaborative Support on Learning in Serious Games for Programming.

This article investigates the impact of a collaborative support method on programming learning outcomes within the serious game Code Hasp, designed for novice elementary students. The study compared two groups: one receiving traditional worked examples (WE) support individually, and another combining WE with real-time peer collaboration, where teammates acted as personal instructors during puzzle-solving. Results showed that the collaborative support group demonstrated significantly higher post-test scores, solved more in-game puzzles, and required fewer support instances, indicating improved learning efficiency and problem-solving skills. Additionally, most collaborative groups exhibited a dominant leadership role, with one student primarily providing guidance, though this dynamic did not adversely affect performance. These findings suggest that integrating collaborative peer support in serious games can enhance engagement and learning outcomes in programming education, while highlighting the need for further research on group dynamics and long-term effects.