Learning Operating Systems with Educational Games: A Systematic Mapping of the Literature

Background: Teaching Operating Systems (OS) is challenging due to the complexity of its concepts, requiring both theoretical understanding and practical application. Educational games have emerged as an engaging strategy to enhance learning, making abstract topics more interactive and accessible. Purpose: This study aims to systematically map the literature on educational games used for OS teaching, identifying their main characteristics, covered concepts, and effectiveness. The search was conducted in Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, SciELO Portal, and CAPES Journals, targeting articles published between 2014 and 2024. Methods: The selected studies were analyzed according to research questions related to game content, effectiveness, challenges, and integration into teaching. Results: Sixteen educational games were identified, addressing 20 OS concepts. Process management and scheduling were the most covered topics, while mutual exclusion, critical sections, and virtual memory were less explored. All games were tested with students, showing positive learning outcomes. Challenges included errors, accessibility issues, and curricular integration. Conclusion: Educational games enhance engagement and learning in OS courses, but there is a need to develop more games covering underrepresented topics and improve their integration into curricula.