How can teachers use video games to support primary students to develop their understanding of programming concepts when studying computer science?

This study will examine how commercial video games
primarily designed for entertainment can be used within
computer science (CS) education to introduce primary
students to programming concepts. CS is recognised as
essential to students' education, although there is concern
around the challenges pupils face when learning to
program. Commercially developed video games have been
shown to increase engagement and improve attitudes
towards computing, with carefully selected games having
the potential to support students in developing their
understanding of programming concepts through
connecting abstract concepts with concrete elements within
games, which can be implemented within their own
programs. The majority of CS education research focuses
on older students, with limited evidence available for
effective approaches to teaching primary aged children,
which this study aims to address.