Ensino de ciências e educação ambiental: possibilidades pedagógicas com o uso da gamificação em aplicativos interativos

Abstract

This work addresses the application of gamification in Environmental Education, recognizing gaming as an intrinsic social activity in contemporary culture. Grounded in theories such as Csikszentmihalyi's flow and Piaget's constructivism, it highlights the potential of gamification to engage students in learning, especially when integrated with interactive apps. Gamification, initially used in marketing, emerges as an educational possibility, potentially effective in promoting environmental awareness. In the national scenario, marked by high game consumption, schools face challenges in incorporating digital games into teaching. Environmental Education, crucial amid serious environmental issues, finds in digital games a bridge to reach the digital generation, making learning more dynamic and appealing, and possibly enhancing the understanding of conceptual content. Gamification, supported by Flow Theory, proposes immersion and deep student engagement in learning, applying challenges, rewards, and immediate feedback. Moreover, Piaget's constructivist theory emphasizes the student's active role in knowledge construction, and interactive apps can be considered an active way for students to learn concepts about environmental education. The study presents apps such as Plickers, Flipgrid, Kahoot! and Padlet as gamified tools in environmental education. The methodology adopts a qualitative and exploratory approach, highlighting the importance of teacher training and interdisciplinary projects for gamification effectiveness. Results suggest that apps can become tools that enhance student interaction and interest, providing a meaningful teaching experience. The convergence of technology and environmental education is highlighted as a promising strategy to make learning more attractive and relevant to the digital native generation, contributing to a more sustainable future. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of gamification in education, highlighting the need to incorporate technologies to transform conventional teaching paradigms and provide more possibilities for effective education aligned with students' interests