Educational Videogame to Learn the Periodic Table: Design Rationale and Lessons Learned

The periodic table allows students to easily understand the chemical elements and predict behavior of theoretical yet undiscovered new elements. Many memorization techniques have been used for learning table, serious games (i.e., designed a primary purpose other than pure entertainment) underexplored complement or even replace such techniques. Since CHEMMEND, an existing physical card game, was found assist with we explore potential E-CHEMMEND, digital version game as aid memorize group period numbers E-CHEMMEND is single-player effect four different conditions involving two experimental factors that account educational scenarios. first factor investigates role playing through levels increasing difficulty versus all from very beginning. second displaying element along its symbol only symbol. Preliminary results show perceived more enjoyable when are displayed. In contrast, better this information hidden shown. Taken together, our suggest variety purposes can be accommodated range settings. Ultimately, design rationale lessons learned while testing will valuable chemistry instructors education researchers. A desktop-based Windows executable available at http://www.chemmend.uji.es/game.