Exploring the educational potential of a chemistry-based computer video game

CHED 740

Kermin Joel Martínez-Hernández, kmartine@purdue.edu1, Gabriela C. Weaver, gweaver@purdue.edu1, and Carlos Morales, crmorales@tech.purdue.edu2. (1) Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2084, (2) Department of Computer Graphics Technology, Purdue University, 1419 Knoy Hall, Room 363, West Lafayette, IN 47907
A chemistry-based computer video game has been developed with the goal of exploring its potential as an educational tool. Specifically, we set out to verify if students were able to achieve the objectives of each of the game's chemistry challenges, determine if their level of conceptual understanding changed after game play intervention, and obtain their opinions about our game design in comparison with other commercial games. A sample of undergraduate students played our chemistry-based video game as well as four popular commercial video games. They were asked to complete various quantitative and qualitative assessment instruments, including pre and post open-ended chemistry content surveys, Likert scale opinion surveys, focus group interviews, and individual semi-structure interviews. This presentation will highlight the study results and educational implications.
 

Chemistry Education Research
1:30 PM-4:55 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Rosedown, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008