Development and assessment of a virtual escape‐room game for teaching industrial bioprocesses

• Published in: Biochemistry and molecular biology education 2024-07, Vol.52 (4), p.453-461
• Main Authors: Cotoras, Davor, Valenzuela‐Ibaceta, Felipe, Salas, Diego, Cárdenas, Franco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; biotechnology teaching online; escape game; Escape learning; Learner Engagement; Monoclonal antibodies; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Student Satisfaction; Teaching Methods
• ISSN: 1470-8175; 1539-3429; 1539-3429
• DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21837

This article presents a study on the implementation of a virtual escape‐room game as a novel teaching methodology in biochemistry education. The game aimed to engage students in producing monoclonal antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 while reinforcing theoretical concepts and fostering teamwork. Three versions of the game were tested, incorporating modifications to address student feedback on and improve the overall experience. The study employed a satisfaction survey to gather insights from students regarding their perception of the game. Results showed that the implementation of answer flexibility using RegEx had a significant positive impact on student satisfaction and motivation. The introduction of RegEx allowed for a more realistic and immersive gaming experience, as students could provide varied answers while still being evaluated correctly. Overall, the findings highlight the effectiveness of the game's design, the suitability of the Google Forms platform for distance learning, and the importance of incorporating answer flexibility through RegEx. These results provide valuable guidance for educators seeking to enhance student engagement and satisfaction through the use of escape‐room games in biochemistry education.