Abstract:

Innovative teaching strategies are essential to improve student engagement and learning outcomes in higher education. This project introduces gamification and hands-on learning into soil science education, focusing on soil profile descriptions and physical properties. A soil monolith was prepared and brought to the classroom, providing students with a tangible example of a soil profile for observation and discussion.

During the session, students worked in groups of six and participated in an online trivia game featuring questions about the monolith and various soil physical properties. This interactive activity fostered collaboration and made learning engaging and enjoyable. Following the session, all students completed a test on soil physical properties. Results demonstrated significant differences: students who attended the session scored significant higher results compared to those who did not.

This approach highlights the potential of combining gamification and experiential learning to enhance student understanding of complex concepts while encouraging active participation. The methodology offers a replicable model for improving educational outcomes in soil science and related disciplines.

Keywords:

Teaching strategies, gamification, Soil science.