Resistance is futile: A new collaborative laboratory game based lab to teach basic circuit concepts

Abstract

In recent years, gamification of education has proven to be an effective paradigm in modern pedagogy. Following the success their previous work "Sector Vector", the authors now present a new game-based laboratory to highlight the manipulation and calculation of resistors in circuits. In Game of Ohms [1] the lesson of electrical resistance is delivered as an interactive exercise building an intricate circuit. As the game progresses, students are forced to make short and long term plans to modify an evolving circuit which meets primary and secondary objectives (such as total resistance). Each turn of the game requires on-the-fly calculations of resistor combinations in both series and parallel permutations. Students are also exposed to the creation of a modular circuit which does not always conform to standard textbook examples. Together, in an interactive fashion, they must evaluate and analyze a potentially complex overall circuit diagram. The power of disguising the lesson in a game based exercise is examined. Results of student engagement and concept retention have been shown to increase due to the dynamic environment and competitive nature established in the gaming environment. In this paper, we will discuss both the concept of the lab-based game itself, as well as the pedagogical implications of the implementation of this gaming medium versus the traditional resistor combination laboratory exercise.