Design and Implementation of Calc-ONE: A Gamified Approach to Reinforce Calculus Concepts

This innovative practice full paper describes Calc-ONE, a card game designed to reinforce calculus concepts. In Latin America, there is a common misconception that mathematics is a complicated topic; this generates many paradigms deeply rooted in students. For some time now, different efforts have been made in the design and implementation of active teaching/learning methodologies to increase the academic performance, retention, and intrinsic motivation levels of engineering students in mathematics courses. Introducing gamification into a mathematical engineering course that covers topics such as calculus in various coordinate systems, including polar and parametric representations, holds significant importance. By integrating gamified elements such as interactive exercises, challenges, and rewards, educators can enhance student engagement and motivation. It is well-known that gamification can make abstract mathematical concepts more accessible and enjoyable, encouraging active participation and deeper learning. Furthermore, it fosters problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and perseverance, which are essential for success within engineering. Ultimately, gamification transforms the learning experience, making it more dynamic, interactive, and effective for students pursuing mathematical engineering degrees. Inspired by the popular game Crazy Eights, a simple and flexible shedding card game, where participants begin with a set of cards, aiming to be the initial player to eliminate all cards from their hands matching pairs, we developed Calc-ONE, a unique version adapted specifically for reinforcing concepts in both differential and integral calculus across various coordinate systems. In Calc-ONE, players find cards containing exercises and conceptual questions covering different topics, including curves represented in parametric and Cartesian equations, derivatives, areas, arc length, surface area for curves in parametric and polar coordinates, and conversions between polar and Cartesian coordinates. By leveraging the engaging and interactive nature of the Crazy Eights game, Calc-ONE provides a dynamic platform for students to practice and solidify their understanding of calculus concepts. Its adaptability guarantees that it effectively reinforces fundamental mathematics concepts while making learning enjoyable and effective. The design of Calc-ONE aligns with the constructivist modeling methodology for the design of educational card games and the main course objectives. Thus, each game component is adapted to address specific learning outcomes. The initial feedback from students regarding Calc-ONE has been overwhelmingly positive. More precisely, the qualitative results obtained through structured and semi-structured interviews showed that students agreed that the game provided a fun and engaging way to review and reinforce different calculus concepts. In conclusion, the design and implementation of Calc-ONE offer a promising gamified approach to enhance student engagement and understanding of calculus principles. Further research and evaluation will continue to refine and optimize the game for maximum educational impact.