Circuit Smart: Understanding Electricity through Collaborative Learning and Gamification

Abstract

This paper explores the use of gamification in providing solutions to overcome learning problems related to electricity on series and parallel circuits in Science for Primary Year 5. The two primary schools involved were located in the rural districts of Betong and Lubok Antu in Sarawak. The use of game design thinking as a learning approach was utilised to facilitate the creation of educational games. The games produced were inspired by modern and traditional games. Several modifications were re-designed for the game elements to appropriately suit the learning context and logistics involved. The games consisted of both online and physical means of conduct where participants were able to collaborate between two schools as well as among themselves as a group. The findings obtained by the participants as the players of the games revealed the effectiveness of the games with the combination of computer-supported and collaborative learning in helping them understand the Science topic through play. Additionally, the implementation of online communication, collaborative activities, and sharing of knowledge was accomplished between the two schools via the Internet.