Gamification as an active methodology for learning forensic entomology

Abstract

Introduction: Gamification as a learning strategy in educational contexts consists of taking advantage of the elements of games to achieve meaningful learning. Methods: We present a didactic strategy for the taxonomic identification of diptera of forensic importance directed to high school students and graduates, through the use of the Edmodo platform by means of the activities: letter soup, pairing questions for the learning of the vocabulary and morphological characteristics of diptera, therefore, to value the performance we created badges being classified in three levels beginner, intermediate or expert. On the other hand, a practical face-to-face activity was carried out for the collection and identification of the diptera present in res viscera, culminating in the application of a questionnaire to 27 participants. Results: A total of 74.1% of the students were classified as experts upon completing all the activities proposed in the platform, while 91.9% of the students correctly identified the taxonomy of the adult and immature diptera assigned during the practical activity, which served to consolidate the learning acquired during gamification. Conclusion: This strategy positively influenced the memoristic learning of morphological characteristics of diptera of forensic importance; however, more time of practical activities is required for learning the classification of insects, due to the diversity of species present in a lifeless human body.