Using Augmented Reality(AR) in the Context of Flipped Learning (FL) to Gamify Learning Experience of Students in BCH4022 and BCH4022A Environmental Toxicology

Abstract

Since the launch of the popular augmented reality (AR) game Pokemon Go in 2016, AR is no longer new to the general public. With support from CityU's Teaching Development Grant (TDG), a smart-phone based AR chemistry courseware named "Chemicals in our Environment: Friends or Foe" was developed for a year four Chemistry course. Through the AR courseware's gamification and flipped classroom approach, digitally native students were able to acquaint themselves and interact with potentially dangerous goods in a three-bedroom household setting. Through flipped learning (FL), students encountered self-study learning materials of household chemicals for the first time instead of attending a face-to-face lecture. Then, students were guided to engage in classroom activities with their peers to apply the knowledge they learnt before class. The teaching team also provided timely feedback to ensure intended learningoutcomes (ILOs) were achieved. This project intended to use AR to facilitate FL as an innovative teaching method to gamify learning experience in a course BCH4022 (and BCH4022A) Environmental Toxicology, currently offered for BSc in Chemistry in Department (CHEM) of Chemistry at CityU.