Escaping Mr Dalton’s University: A Knowledge Enhancing Game in Chemistry 8

Abstract

The grade 8 students of CNSHS described Chemistry as the hardest branch of Science since it deals with topics like elements (symbol, source, and deficiency condition) that were not familiar to them. This research aimed to create a mobile game that can enhance the knowledge of grade 8 students in Chemistry. The game engine Cocos Creator was usedin which C++ was utilised as the programming language. Xcode was used for coding the program and Adobe Photoshop CS5 for the graphical representation of the game. One hundred twelve students were identified as respondents using the Slovin’s formula. A pre-test of Chemistry 8 was given to the respondents. The respondents were divided into two groups using a stratified random sampling technique in which half were given a copy of the mobile game while half were not. Post-Test was given after one month. Data were collected and analysed using one-tailed and two-tailed z-tests. Using one-tailed z-test, it was revealed that the post-test scores of students who played the game significantly increased compared to their pre-test scores, obtaining a z-value of 6.2198, which was higher than the Z-critical value of 1.6449. Meanwhile, a computed z-value of 2.5270, higher than the Z-critical value of 1.9600, was obtained using two-tailed z-test, which revealed that the post-test scores of students who played the game were significantly higher than the post-tests scores of those who did not. The study showed that the integration of this application game could enhance the knowledge of grade 8 students in Chemistry.