Role of gamification in chemistry learning classrooms: Enhancing student motivation through interactive learning approach

Abstract

Gamification is a dynamic teaching method that incorporates gaming features into classroom settings to enhance motivation and engagement. The significance of the gamification approach, exemplified by tools such as ChemCaper, Quizlet, Kahoot, Socrative, and Gimkit, is examined in this research, with particular focus on its impact on students' motivation levels and learning outcomes. Using a semi-structured qualitative research methodology, 54 students from higher secondary schools participated in the study. Both traditional and gamified teaching methods were alternated weekly over a period of three months. Following this period, a questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the role of gamification in chemistry education. The results indicated that integrating gamified learning into conventional teaching significantly increased students' motivation to attend classes, fostered participation in group studies within a healthy competitive classroom environment, and enhanced self-confidence levels. The findings also demonstrated that gamified learning improved students' self-dependency, boosted critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, mental strength, engagement levels with their teachers, as well as overall academic performance in terms of scoring. The findings also reported that students preferred gamified tools for giving classroom examinations and preferred the gamified learning process for their studying. Among the gamified tools, ChemCaper is the most preferred tool by the students. Collectively, the results indicated that in chemistry learning, gamification greatly boosts learning outcomes. In conclusion, this outcome showed how gamification, as a learner-centered approach, could redefine chemistry education and provide insightful guidance for teachers striving to render science more intriguing and understandable.