Connected Learning Summit 2019

CellEnergy is an iOS educational app we developed to teach the basics of photosynthesis and cellular respiration for high school life science courses. Through our many exploratory interviews with biology teachers, photosynthesis was identified as a particularly difficult subject area to engage students with, both because of its abstract nature and the invisible cellular processes it involves. As such we felt it was an ideal topic to address through an interactive learning app. CellEnergy exemplifies a hybrid approach to learning apps, in which the focus is primarily on learning outcomes with game-like elements incorporated to make complex processes visible in an engaging and a playful way. The activities in CellEnergy are based on multiple evidence-based learning practices, such as retrieval practice, spaced learning, and immediate feedback. Virtual labs provide inquiry-based learning and reinforcement of science practices in the context of photosynthesis. The sequence of activities centers around a narrative in which users grow and harvest plants in order to create a common snack, like chips and salsa, highlighting the relevance of photosynthesis in students’ everyday lives. Students use points earned to purchase supplies and decorative features for their “outdoor kitchen”, which provides a motivational incentive for completing activities and adds a layer of game-like engagement. Our project culminated in a cluster randomized controlled trial that included over 600 students in 22 high school biology classrooms. We demonstrated that using CellEnergy resulted in significantly greater learning gains in both photosynthesis concept knowledge and science practices knowledge compared to standard instruction.