Professor Prepares Master’s Dissertation on the Use of Nivelamento Online in the Classroom

The digital revolution has brought about a series of significant changes in all aspects of our lives, including how we learn. Digital Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have opened up a new world of possibilities for education, and one area that has stood out is educational gamification. Professor Marcos Antonio Soares das Neves, from the State University of Midwestern (UNICENTRO-PR), delved into this theme in his master’s dissertation titled “Gamified Educational Platforms and Physics Teaching: The Case of Nivelamento Online.”

Gamification: An Innovative Approach

Gamification is the use of typical game elements, such as competition, rewards, and challenges, in non-game contexts, such as education. Professor Neves argues that this approach can be a game-changer in education, making it more engaging and effective. His research focused on the application of gamified educational platforms in physics teaching, specifically through Nivelamento Online (NiO).

The study conducted by Professor Neves involved two first-year classes in the new high school (NEM). One class followed the traditional teaching method, while the other was subjected to the NiO platform. To measure the effectiveness of the NiO platform, pre-tests and post-tests were conducted in both classes to assess learning gains. The results were surprising.

The results obtained through pre-tests and post-tests showed that the experimental class, which used the NiO platform, had a significantly higher normalized Hake gain compared to the control group that followed traditional teaching. This notable difference was confirmed by analyzing a comparative grade chart.

Furthermore, other indicators pointed to the success of gamification in physics teaching. Usability scores revealed positive results, in line with best practices in academic literature. Student engagement, assessed through EgameFlow, demonstrated that factors related to learning performed satisfactorily, with a notable focus on “Knowledge Improvement.”

The Verdict

Student opinions are crucial when it comes to new educational approaches. A questionnaire about students’ perception of NiO showed significant results. Students felt more motivated and satisfied when studying physics content through the gamified platform, which was also corroborated by data collected within the platform.

Professor Marcos Antonio Soares das Neves’s master’s dissertation shed light on the potential of gamified educational platforms, particularly in physics teaching. The results obtained clearly show that gamification can be an effective tool to motivate, engage, and provide learning to students. This study highlights not only the importance of gamification in education but also the need to explore innovative approaches to transform teaching into a more dynamic and engaging experience.