Enhancing Chemistry Laboratory Teaching through Gamification: The IQ-Mobile race

Teaching strategies and innovative designs must grow along with the increasing challenges for educators. The incorporation of innovative tools into teaching methods is an attempt to increase student motivation and commitment. Gamification is defined as the use of game elements in a non-game context, creating a badge and reward system, and incentivizing competition. The application of gamification in science and chemistry education has proved to improve student´s attention, engagement, and motivation. In the present project, the use of a light-signal-powered car denoted as "IQ-mobile" drive controlled through a concentration-dependent clock-reaction was applied as a gamification strategy for chemical-kinetics teaching. A team race competition was set between the students to incentivize the experimental analysis, planning, and execution. The effect on the student’s comprehension of the topics and grades compared to prior strategy application was analyzed. Results showed that therace had a positive effect on learning, increasing motivation and improving students communication and teamwork skills.