Teaching of MATLAB programming using complex game

Abstract

The paper deals with the innovative method of teaching of MATLAB programming at our faculty. The conventional method of teaching the computer programming at our faculty is based on printed literature, lectures, and labs. How to make the course of programming more attractive? We asked our students "How you spend your time at PC?" "Playing games", most of them answered. The solution was plain enough. The complex program in MATLAB was created. The teaching part of the software is divided into 14 parts, which corresponds to the number of weeks of the course of programming. The second part of the software practices the knowledge using the multiplayer game. The game is based on the TV game called "Riskuj" presented by NOVA TV Channel. The last part tests the knowledge by "classical" tests giving the final score and saving the answers with name of the student and time. As a result of the usage of this game, more than 3/4 of the students have better grade from the MATLAB programming and they want to use this software for other subjects taught at our faculty.