Engaging Students Through Gamified Digital Learning Curriculum Neil Garg, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and a group of UCLA students developed the app, Backside Attack, to help students learn the SN2 mechanism, a key concept for organic chemistry. The app mixes both games alongside assessment pieces to ensure that students can translate what they are learning to how they may be assessed in a course. Digital Resources Backside Attack Game The game focuses on the SN2 reaction, which is often one of the first reactions students learn when studying organic chemistry. The SN2 reaction is great for educational purposes, as it provides a forum for students to learn about many common variables associated with chemical reactions, such as leaving group ability, nucleophilicity, steric factors, and solvent effects. Backside Attack on the App Store Digital Enablement Gamified learning tools can make learning more engaging and enjoyable by incorporating elements of play, competition, and achievement. This mode of learning can allow students to have greater engagement and motivation. Have an Example of Your Own? Help us build our Instructional Example Library! We are looking for contributions from higher education instructors across disciplines who use technology to enable evidence-based teaching practices. To learn more and to submit an example, please visit the form page linked below. Thank you for helping us support the field. Submit an Example
