Boosting engagement and learning in the economic analysis of chemical processes through gamification

Abstract

This article explores the effectiveness of gamification in the course “Design of Chemical Products and Processes” of the Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Granada. In particular, the gamified educational activities were developed in the thematic block on the economic analysis of chemical processes over three academic years. The gamification activities implemented included dominoes, bingo, word search, hangman, and passing the word. The results indicate that these activities improved student motivation, participation, and learning. Additionally, a positive perception of collaboration and teamwork was observed. Gamification not only made learning more attractive but also fostered deeper and more meaningful learning, providing empirical evidence of its benefits in higher education. The study includes a description of the activities conducted, perception and evaluation questionnaires from students regarding the proposed activities, and an assessment of the results (surveys and acquired competencies). This allows for identifying the advantages and improvements for future courses.