Enhancing the Performance of Students in Selected Learning Competencies in Chemistry through Chemdama Board Games

Authors

  • Nanette Jalon

Keywords:

Boardgames, learning competencies, chemistry, student performance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

It is a common observation that learning Chemistry, as a discipline, creates negative feedback to most students in the secondary level. Chemistry is one of the hated subjects in Science where students would likely fail in completing the necessary requirements due to poor performance in both academic and conceptual reasoning. in this subject, the ability to name and write the chemical formula of the compound, classify the types of bond forms, as well as to compute for a compound’s molar mass are key competencies in Chemistry which students find difficult to understand. Giving them an intervention by using board games such as ChemDama will boost students’ interest in the subject.

METHODS

The respondents of the study were randomly selected Grade 9 students. The study made use of pre-test and post-test designs. Two outcome variables were used in the study. The first quantified students’ understanding and knowledge of the information in the selected learning competencies addressed in the game. The second qualitatively assessed student perception of the impact of laboratory-based exercises, lectures, and the game, on learning effectiveness and enjoyment through survey questionnaires.

RESULTS

Statistics reveals that the Learning Competencies were significantly enhanced by playing ChemDama board game. Among the 4 competencies, only writing and naming chemical formula are not significant with a Z calculated value of 0.13. It is less than the critical value of 1.64 at 5% level of significance. Other learning competencies tested were significantly enhanced by playing ChemDama board game.The game was regularly ranked first by students as being both the most effective and the most enjoyable way to learn. Performance on the knowledge tests and long-term retention were significantly enhanced by playing the game, compared to other teaching tools used.

DISCUSSIONS

The students who participated had positive perceptions regarding the use of the Chemdama board game. They usually found educational games to be an interesting tool to make their learning process more enjoyable. Mastery of the topics enhanced by ChemDama is very useful in identifying metals and non-metals, classifying different types of chemical bonds as to metallic, ionic and covalent bonds, and calculating the formula/molar mass of the compound. Thus, ChemDama can be played in schools to improve students' academic performance.

Published

2019-01-18