Alison Wong and I were awarded both the Innovation Award and the Allan Christie Innovation Award at ASCILITE 2025 for our Karel initiative.
The project introduced a five-week, non-assessable competition to gamify learning, boost engagement, and offer a low-pressure entry point into programming. It was first introduced into two first-year units in the University of Sydney Business School's Business Analytics discipline:
- QBUS1040 Foundations of Business Analytics
- BUSS6002 Data Science in Business
Students solved code challenges using Karel, a virtual robot in a 2D grid world that follows a small set of commands such as move and turn left. This simplification helps students focus on logical flow and computational thinking rather than the technicalities of programming syntax, which can be overwhelming for novices.
The key innovation was the competition structure. It integrated playful learning, structured progression through carefully designed challenges, and a detailed feedback system to build confidence and promote active learning.
This creative approach increased engagement while working within curriculum constraints that limited formal course inclusion. To encourage participation, students also received certificates and 3D-printed Karel keyrings, with different colours used each semester to help foster a sense of community and cohort identity.
