Qubit: The Game. Teaching Quantum Computing through a Game-Based Approach
-
Escanez-Exposito, Daniel
1
- Correa-Marichal, Javier
-
Caballero-Gil, Pino
1
-
1
Universidad de La Laguna
info
ISSN: 0302-9743, 1611-3349
ISBN: 9783031360299, 9783031360305
Year of publication: 2023
Pages: 108-123
Type: Book chapter
Abstract
Quantum computing is a promising and rapidly growing interdisciplinary field that attracts researchers from science and engineering. Based on the hypothesis that traditional teaching is insufficient to prepare people for their introduction to this field, this paper presents Qubit: The Game, an innovative board game to promote both the motivation to learn quantum computing and the understanding of several essential concepts of that field. The reasons for the choice of game type, design and mechanics, and the followed methodology are described in detail here. This paper also includes a preliminary study to determine the effect of the proposed game on the perception, interest and basic knowledge of quantum computing in a group of high school students. The study findings reveal that the designed game is a powerful tool to foster interest and teach essential concepts of a subject as difficult as quantum computing, which can be of great help in introducing more complex concepts.
Bibliographic References
- Newman, F.M., Wehlage, G.G., Secada, W.G., Marks, H.M., Gamorman, A.: Authentic pedagogy standards that boost student performance. Issues in restructuring schools. Issues report No. 8. Madison, W.I. Center one organize and restructuring of schools, ED 39091 (1995)
- Randel, J.M., Morris, B.A., Wetzel, C.D., Whitehill, B.V.: The effectiveness of games for educational purposes: A review of recent research. Simulation Gaming 23(3), 261–276 (1992)
- Qiskit (2023). https://qiskit.org
- Kohnle, A., et al.: A new introductory quantum mechanics curriculum. Eur. J. Phys. 35(1), 015001 (2013)
- Tappert, C.C., Frank, R.I., Barabasi, I., Leider, A.M., Evans, D., Westfall, L.: Experience Teaching Quantum Computing. In: Annual Meeting Annual Meeting of the Association Supporting Computer Users in Education (2019)
- Mykhailova, M., Svore, K.M.: Teaching quantum computing through a practical software-driven approach: Experience report. In: Proceedings of the 51st ACM Technical Symposium On Computer Science Education, pp. 1019–1025 (2020)
- Satanassi, S., Ercolessi, E., Levrini, O.: Designing and implementing materials on quantum computing for secondary school students: The case of teleportation. Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 18(1), 010122 (2022)
- Singh, C.: Helping students learn quantum mechanics for quantum computing. In: AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 883(1), pp. 42–45. American Institute of Physics (2007)
- McKagan, S.B., et al.: Developing and researching PhET simulations for teaching quantum mechanics. Am. J. Phys. 76(4), 406–417 (2008)
- Singh, C.: Interactive learning tutorials on quantum mechanics. Am. J. Phys. 76(4), 400–405 (2008)
- Kohnle, A., Baily, C., Campbell, A., Korolkova, N., Paetkau, M.J.: Enhancing student learning of two-level quantum systems with interactive simulations. Am. J. Phys. 83(6), 560–566 (2015)
- Nita, L., Chancellor, N., Smith, L. M., Cramman, H., Dost, G.: Inclusive learning for quantum computing: supporting the aims of quantum literacy using the puzzle game Quantum Odyssey. arXiv preprint arXiv:2106.07077 (2021)
- Weisz, J.D., Ashoori, M., Ashktorab, Z.: Entanglion: A board game for teaching the principles of quantum computing. In: Proceedings of the 2018 Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play, pp. 523–534 (2018)
- McMahon, D.: Quantum computing explained. John Wiley & Sons (2007)
- IJsselsteijn, W.A., de Kort, Y.A.W., Poels, K.: The Game Experience Questionnaire. Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (2013)
- Aremu, A.: Strategies for Improving the Performance of Female in Mathematics. African J. Educat. Res. 5(1), 77–85 (1999)