TAXOCARD Game in Promoting Concept Retention in Mastering Animal Classification

Abstract

Concept retention is important in studying biology concepts, especially in learning animal classification. Several complex concepts and vocabulary of biology classes require memory work to easily remember and relate their knowledge on distinguishing characteristics of each group of organisms. This study aimed to develop an educational card game, TAXOCARD Game, and utilize them in class to promote concept retention towards learning animal classification. The content expert validators evaluated the developed TAXOCARD Game in biology and students who are enrolled in grade 8 science in terms of its goals and objectives, card design, components and organization, playability and playfulness, and usefulness. Based on the evaluation after using TAXOCARD Game, both content expert validators and students gave a remark of outstanding, and positively viewed that TAXOCARD Game can be an effective tool to encourage the students to interact with their classmates and promote concept mastery because of repetitive actions. This study recommends using this TAXOCARD Game in grade 8 science class to further improve this innovative craft. It is strongly recommended to other biology teachers to design and develop other educational card games in biology that they perceive requires high concept retention yet can be enjoyed when such intervention is incorporated.