A synchronous on-line competition software to improve and motivate learning

In this paper we describe a competitive way to learn and review concepts: a championship based on quizzes. Students will compete in “duels” against other students in an instant messaging channel where a program will be launching questions; the student that answers first will get the point. And the first to reach a series of points will win the game. We have designed, implemented and tested a (free) software to automate the entire process of the championship, allowing students to choose the times of their matches, throwing questions to the channel, keeping logs, driving classifications, providing feedback to the lecturer about performance and questions, etc. From several testing championships performed, we have noticed a high involvement and motivation by students. Being the process automated, lecturers do not have to spend much time on this activity even if it takes place outside the classroom (they only have to worry about uploading questions with their answers and keep track of possible revisions students may ask for).