Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education

Chemistry Games in the Classroom: A Pilot Study

Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, Volume 1, Issue 2, May 2018, pp. 113-142
OPEN ACCESS VIEWS: 1814 DOWNLOADS: 1944 Publication date: 15 May 2018
ABSTRACT
In this study a game-based learning approach was introduced among students and teachers. Several chemistry games and a survey method were used as a tool to obtain insight into students’ knowledge about ionic bonding, to learn about the students’ and teachers’ perceptions related to this teaching method and to get insights into the misunderstanding and misconceptions that students might have. Students were tested on the ionic bonding test and both students and teachers anonymously filled in a questionnaire to express their perceptions about the game-based learning approach. Students achievements on the test were satisfactory; the mean score was 11.31 out of 15 (or 75.33 %). Most comments regarding the lesson itself were positive, stating that the lesson was well planned, interesting and very helpful. The usage of games in chemistry classroom was proven to be an excellent way to motivate students, to provide active engagement and discussion among students and to develop skills to solve problems.
KEYWORDS
Ionic bonding, Game-Based Learning, Chemistry Teaching, Interactive Learning Environment, Cooperative Learning, Educational Games.
CITATION (APA)
Stojanovska, M., & Velevska, B. (2018). Chemistry Games in the Classroom: A Pilot Study. Journal of Research in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 1(2), 113-142. https://doi.org/10.31756/jrsmte.121
REFERENCES
  1. Admiraal, W., Huizenga, J., Akkerman, S., & Dama, G. (2011). The concept of flow in collaborative game-based learning. Computers in Human Behaviour, 27(3), 1185−1194. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2010.12.013
  2. Angelin, M., & Ramström, O. (2010). Where's Ester? A game that seeks the structures hiding behind the trivial names. Journal of Chemical Education, 87(4), 406−407. doi: 10.1021/ed800129r
  3. Antunes, M., Pacheco, M. A. R., & Giovanela, M. (2012). Design and implementation of an educational game for teaching chemistry in higher education. Journal of Chemical Education, 89(4), 517−521. doi: 10.1021/ed2003077
  4. Barzilai, S., & Blau, I. (2014). Scaffolding game-based learning: Impact on learning achievements, perceived learning, and game experiences. Computers & Education, 70(1), 65−79. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2013.08.003
  5. Betts, B. (2015). Game-based learning. In R. Hubbard (Ed.), The Really Useful eLearning Instruction Manual: Your toolkit for putting eLearning into practice (pp. 175−194). John Wiley & Sons Ltd. doi:10.1002/9781118375860v
  6. Blunt, R. (2007). Does game-based learning work? Results from three recent studies. Retrieved from https://www.reality-xp.com/professional/files/GameBasedLearningStudies.pdf
  7. Burguillo, J. C. (2010). Using game-theory and competition-based learning to stimulate student motivation and performance. Computers & Education, 55(2), 566−575. doi: 10.1016/ j.compedu.2010.02.018
  8. Costa, M. J. (2007). Carbohydeck: A card game to teach the stereochemistry of carbohydrates. Journal of Chemical Education, 84(6), 977–978. doi: 10.1021/ed084p977
  9. Croasmun, J. T., &Ostrom, L. (2011). Using Likert-type scales in the social sciences. Journal of Adult Education, 40(1), 19−22.
  10. Daubenfeld, T., & Zenker, D. (2015). A Game-based approach to an entire physical chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education, 92(2), 269−277. doi: 10.1021/ed5001697
  11. de Freitas, S. (2006). Learning in Immersive worlds: A review of game-based learning. Retrieved from http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/35774/1/gamingreport_v3.pdf
  12. Driver, R., & Oldham, V. (1986). A constructivist approach to curriculum development in science. Studies in Science Education, 13(1), 105−122. doi: 10.1080/03057268608559933
  13. Franco-Mariscal, A. J., Oliva-Martínez, J. M., & Gil, M. L. A. (2015). Students’ perceptions about the use of educational games as a tool for teaching the periodic table of elements at the high school level. Journal of Chemical Education, 92(2), 278−285. doi: 10.1021/ed4003578
  14. Friends of Education (2018, March 31−April 1). Fourth Educonference for Teachers and IT Experts, Struga, Republic of Macedonia
  15. Hamari, J., Shernoff, D. J., Rowe, E., & Coller, B. (2016). Chalenging games help students learn: An empirical study on engagement, flow and immersion in game-based learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 54(1), 170−179. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.07.045
  16. Hoque, K. E., Alam, G. M., Ariff, M. R. B. M., Mishra, P. K., & Rabby, T. G. (2011). Site-based management: Impact of leader’s roles on institutional improvement. African Journal of Business Management, 5, 3623–3629.
  17. Howe, M., Krone, B., Reiter, S., & Verby, D. (2005). Chemistry as fun and games. Retrieved from http://nobel.scas.bcit.ca/chemed2005/tradingPost/TUPM_S2_4_15ChemFunGames.pdf
  18. Huang, W. H., & Soman, D. (2013). A practitioner’s guide to gamification of education. Toronto, ON: Rotman School of Management University of Toronto.
  19. Jensen, W. B. (2012). The proper writing of ionic charges. Journal of Chemical Education, 89(8), 1084–1085. doi: 10.1021/ed2001335
  20. Kapp, K. (2014, March). Gamification: Separating fact from fiction. Chief Learning Officer. Retrieved from http://ww.w.cedma-europe.org/newsletter%20articles/Clomedia/Gamification%20-%20Separating%20Fact%20from%20Fiction%20(Mar%2014).pdf
  21. Kavak, N. (2012). ChemOkey: A game to reinforce nomenclature. Journal of Chemical Education, 89(8), 1047−1049. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1021/ed3000556
  22. Kavak, N., & Yamak, H. (2016). Picture chem: Playing a game to identify laboratory equipment items and describe their use. Journal of Chemical Education, 93(7), 1253–1255. doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00857
  23. Kaya, T. (2010, November 7). A ‘Stealth assessment’ turns to video games to measure thinking skills. The Chronicle of higher education. Retrieved from https://www.chronicle.com/article/A-Stealth-Assessment-Turns/125276
  24. Kiili, K. (2005). Digital game-based learning: Towards an experiential gaming model. Internet and Higher Education, 8(1), 13–24. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2004.12.001
  25. Kim, B. (2013, May 21). Keeping Up With... Gamification, American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/keeping_up_with/gamification
  26. Koballa, T. R. (1988). Attitude and related concepts in science education. Science Education, 72(2), 115−126. doi: 10.1002/sce.3730720202
  27. Koether, M. (2003). The name game: Learning the connectivity between the concepts. Journal of Chemical Education, 80(4), 421−422. doi: 10.1021/ed080p421
  28. Lieberman, J. N. (1977). Playfulness: Its relationship to imagination and creativity. New York: Academic Press.
  29. Martí-Centelles, V., &Rubio-Magnieto, J. (2014). ChemMend: A card game to introduce and explore the periodic table while engaging students’ interest. Journal of Chemical Education, 91(6), 868−871. doi: 10.1021/ed300733w
  30. Moreno, L. F., Hincapie,́ G., & Alzate, M. V. (2014). Cheminoes: A didactic game to learn chemical relationships between valence, atomic number, and symbol. Journal of Chemical Education, 91(6), 872−875. doi: 10.1021/ed4008183
  31. Morris, T. M. (2011). Go chemistry: A card game to help students learn chemical formulas. Journal of Chemical Education, 88(10), 1397–1399. doi: 10.1021/ed100661c
  32. Namdeo, S. K., & Rout, S. D. (2016). Calculating and interpreting Cronbach’s alpha using Rosenberg assessment scale on paediatrician’s attitude and perception on self esteem. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health 3(6), 1371−1374. doi: http:dx.doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20161448
  33. O’Halloran, K. P. (2017). Teaching classes of organic compounds with a sticky note on forehead game. Journal of Chemical Education, 94(12), 1929−1932. doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00165
  34. Oakman, H. (2016 June 7). The rise of game-based learning. Retrieved from https://edtechnology.co.uk/Article/the-rise-of-game-based-learning
  35. Orlik, Y., Gil, E., & Hernández, L. C. (2005). The game “young scientists “ as active science educational tool for extra-curricular work in the school. Natural Science Education, 3(14), 47−50. Retrieved from http://oaji.net/articles/2014/514-1393349254.pdf
  36. Perrotta, C., Featherstone, G., Aston, H., & Houghton, E. (2013). Game-based learning: Latest evidence and future directions (NFER Research Programme: Innovation in Education). Slough: NFER.
  37. Pho, A., & Dinscore, A. (2015, Spring). Game-based learning: Tips and Trends. Retrieved from http://acrl.ala.org/IS/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/spring2015.pdf
  38. Pippins, T., Anderson, C. M., Poindexter, E. F., Sultemeier, S. W., & Schultz, L. D. (2011). Element cycles: An environmental chemistry board game. Journal of Chemical Education, 88(8), 1112–1115. doi: 10.1021/ed100576a
  39. Pivec, M., & Dziabenko, O. (2004). Game-based learning in universities and lifelong learning: “UniGame: social skills and knowlwdgw training” game concept. Journal of Universal Computer Science, 10(1), 14−26. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.100.1704&rep=rep1&type=pdf
  40. Prensky, M. (2000). Digital game-based learning. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  41. Sevcik, S. R., Hicks, O., Schultz, L. D., & Alexander, S. V. (2008). Elements— A card game of chemical names and symbols. Journal of Chemical Education, 85(4), 514−515. doi: 10.1021/ed085p514
  42. Silva, D. M., & Ribeiro, C. M. R. (2017). Analogue three-dimensional memory game for teaching reflection, symmetry, and chirality to high school students. Journal of Chemical Education, 94(9), 1272−1275. doi: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00219
  43. Stringfield, T. W., & Kramer, E. F. (2014). Benefits of a game-based review module in chemistry courses for nonmajors. Journal of Chemical Education, 91(1), 56−58. doi: 10.1021/ed300678f
  44. Sung, H., & Hwang, G. (2013). A collaborative game-based learning approach to improving students’ learning performance in science courses. Computers & Education, 63, 43−51. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2012.11.019
  45. Wessa, P. (2018). Free Statistics Software, Office for Research Development and Education, version 1.2.1. URL: https://www.wessa.net/
LICENSE
Creative Commons License