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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

MOL: Developing a European-Style Board Game To Teach Organic Chemistry

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Author(s):
Triboni, Eduardo [1] ; Weber, Gabriel [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Engn Lorena, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Chemical Education; v. 95, n. 5, p. 791-803, MAY 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Recently there has been a renewed interest in the development and use of pedagogical games, as they provide an interesting approach to the appropriation of knowledge in the context of active learning. However, most didactic games fail to completely implement a cycle of reflection and action, thereby fostering mostly lower-order thinking skills and memorization as opposed to critical thinking and problem solving skills. This limitation can be traced back to the ineffective carrot and stick approach to game design that is widely applied in the context of pedagogical games. In this article, we discuss the development of a pedagogical game in which the game elements were carefully chosen to seamlessly merge with the desired chemistry content and therefore create an engaging and fun learning experience. In particular, in order to allow complex concepts to naturally emerge from a simple set of rules, we followed the so-called European approach to game design. The resulting game, MOL (Mastering the Organic chemistry Laboratory), was tested with 77 students of ages between 19 and 21 enrolled in organic chemistry courses for chemical engineering majors and 26 students of ages between 17 and 18 enrolled in a 12th grade chemistry class. The results of these classroom implementations indicate that MOL clarifies several key concepts regarding organic reactions, particularly kinetic and thermodynamic aspects. Furthermore, they suggest that MOL can be effectively used to demonstrate how the aforementioned concepts interrelate in a real laboratory situation, therefore stimulating a sense of critical thinking. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/06064-6 - Functional organic molecules and inorganic oxides for the development of new materials
Grantee:Eduardo Rezende Triboni
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants