Experimental development and implementation of computer-based quiz games in general chemistry for engineering

Interactive learning through computer quiz games has been introduced to improve teaching and learning in a freshman engineering chemistry course. This is accomplished through a series of JAVA-based, weekly general chemistry quiz games, developed and implemented as a supplemental and augmentative tool in delivering freshmen chemistry for engineering majors. The introduction of quiz game is anticipated to increase the engagement of students in chemistry classes by improving their attitudes towards chemistry and their overall chemistry achievements. Kolb´s four-stage learning cycle is introduced as a possible model for a role the computer quiz games could have in the overall learning process, where the games are anticipated to serve as alternate mode of learning and as an additional motivational tool. In addition to introducing weekly computer quiz games, we report on the effort made to assess their effectiveness. For this purpose, we propose a novel chemistry achievement test developed in this study, Freshman Engineering Chemistry Aptitude Test (FECAT), which aims to comprehensively cover the freshmen engineering chemistry course. Additionally, we implemented an attitude questionnaire. The findings of this pilot study help to advance our understanding of the practical contribution of game-based learning to students´ achievement in chemistry and also their attitudes towards learning chemistry at university. At the time of the pilot implementation, we hypothesized that the major benefit of the interactive game would be an increase in students´ overall interest in chemistry, with an associated improvement in achievements in the course.