Hungry Wolves, Creepy Sheepies: The Gamification of the Programmer's Classroom

D. T. Reitter () College of Information Sciences and Technology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA e-mail: [email protected] Abstract The Wolves and Sheep game is an educational, multi-agent computer simulation for students of programming classes. Players move about in a twodimensional landscape, aiming to reach targets or catch other players. Students write programs that control individual players in the game. The programs then participate in a tournament. Students practice basic programming and algorithmic thinking, object-orientation and the role of interfaces, and are even exposed to basic Artificial Intelligence. Gamification helps motivate students and creates positive, but challenging learning experiences.