Computer Quiz Games in General Chemistry for Engineering Majors in an English as a Second Language Environment

Abstract

Computer quiz games are introduced to improve teaching and learning in a freshman engineering chemistry course in an English-as-a-second-language (ESL) environment. These quiz games are developed and implemented as supplemental and augmentative tools to enhance traditionally delivered lectures. The paper shows an increase in students’ motivation and compares the performance among students who participated in computer quiz games, a paper-based quiz, or neither activity. An assessment of the effectiveness of quiz games in learning is conducted via a proposed novel chemistry achievement test, the Freshman Engineering Chemistry Aptitude Test, and an attitude questionnaire. The findings contribute to our understanding of the role of game-based learning in students’ achievement in chemistry and their motivation and attitudes toward learning general chemistry at a university within an ESL environment, while the computer games developed are useful in all English-based chemistry classes.