Metal Demon Conqueror Game: A New Digital Game-Based Learning Tool on Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

• Published in: Journal of chemical education 2024-04, Vol.101 (4), p.1718-1725
• Main Authors: Pinthong, Chatchadaporn, Poungkaew, Natpawee, Ampaipis, Titapa, Thanyaphongphat, Jirapipat, Pimviriyakul, Panu, Maenpuen, Somchart
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; College students; Computer & video games; COVID-19; Educational activities; Educational Games; Educational objectives; Enzymatic activity; Enzyme activity; Game Based Learning; Interactive learning; Learning outcomes; Mobile phones; Motivation; Online instruction; Onsite; Pandemics; Students; Teaching methods; Technology adoption; Textbooks; Undergraduate Students; Undergraduate study
• ISSN: 0021-9584; 1938-1328
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01212

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic prevented students from attending on-site classes. Consequently, their face-to-face interactions decreased. Thus, it became crucial to design learning activities to enhance the motivation of students and inspire them to achieve the desired learning outcomes during the long disruption of on-site classes. Mobile devices and applications represent the most frequently used alternatives to online learning tools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, biochemists faced the challenges of integrating technology and biochemistry principles to allow students to investigate difficult topics, such as factors affecting enzyme activity. We created the Metal Demon Conqueror Game to address this difficulty: this new digital game-based learning tool is intended to encourage undergraduate students to learn about factors affecting enzyme activity. This challenging game comprises five levels entailing enzyme concentrations, temperature, cofactors, pH, and the final stage. The content component of the game allows students to explore the fundamental concepts related to factors affecting enzyme activity and enables them to engage in self-paced learning by playing the game from anywhere, at any time. The evaluation questionnaire revealed that the Metal Demon Conqueror Game could promote the learning of the factors affecting enzyme activity and help students grasp the content better than learning from textbooks. Students were interested in using the game and were satisfied with their learning of the factors affecting enzyme activity. Thus, the game offers a more engaging experience than learning from textbooks and is an interactive learning experience for students.