Abstract:

This study is based on an innovation project mainly centered on the gamification methodology applied in the subject of Political Economy taught on the first course of the Political Sciences and Public Administration Degree. Additionally, other traditional learning methods are scrutinized, such as taking notes or paying attention during class when such methods are combined with structuring descriptors, specifically the glossary of descriptors. These descriptors provide students with better resources to expand or complement the information they gather, while at the same time acquiring skills for structuring the information. Students are invited to participate in a role-playing game, after which they organize the contents presented in class; the activity ends with their oral presentations. Besides gamification, the project also includes cooperative learning techniques (research groups), use of ICTs, and working under temporary pressure, since difficulties or unforeseen events can arise. Students are exposed to the critical understanding of discursive structures, the practical implications of these discourses, responsibility to the group, and the need to quickly update the strategies; all these aspects have an undeniable impact on their learning process.

Keywords:

Cooperative learning, economic studies, higher education, gamification.