The Use of Productive Failure to Learn Genetics in a Game-Based Environment

• In Event: Perspectives on Learning in Technology-Rich Settings

Abstract

This research project explored the effectiveness of Productive Failure (PF) to learn genetics and relevant mathematics knowledge in a Game-based Learning (GBL) environment. The PF-GBL experimental group involved a PF learning design in which the students initially worked on challenge problems with a computer game followed by teacher instruction. While the DI-GBL comparison group employed a Direct Instruction learning design in which the teacher first provided the instruction followed by the students solving the challenge problems in the same game-based environment. The results indicated that the PF-GBL showed significantly higher learning gains than the DI-GBL group on declarative knowledge, explanatory knowledge, and near transfer problem solving about genetics. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Authors

• Lu Cao, The University of Sydney

• Michael J. Jacobson, The University of Sydney

• Lina Markauskaite, The University of Sydney

• Polly K. Lai, Queensland University of Technology