BactoBattle: a game-based learning companion for medical bacteriology
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A card game called BactoBattle has been developed to help medical students who have just started learning medical bacteriology to improve their learning efficacy and satisfaction, especially on the topic of antimicrobial resistance. Copies of the game were placed in the students’ study room (approximately 1 set per 12 students) and made available to the students throughout the study period so that they could choose to play the game during their free time if desired. After the study period had ended, the students were asked to complete a questionnaire and a post-test. In total, 33 students completed the questionnaire, and were split into 2 groups: the player group, comprising 12 (36.4 %) students who had played the game, and the non-player group. The player group perceived that they could memorize more knowledge compared to the non-player group and indeed recorded higher post-test scores than the non-player group (10.4 vs 8.3 out of 15 points, P =0.031). However, there was no difference in learning motivation ( P =0.441) or enjoyment ( P =0.562) between the two groups. A majority of the players said they would continue playing the game after the study period and would recommend the game to other students. In short, the BactoBattle game can be a useful tool to improve the learning efficacy of students, but its effect on learning satisfaction remains unclear.
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The work presented is clear and the arguments well formed. This is a study that would be of interest to the field and community.
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The work presented is clear and the arguments well formed. This is a study that would be of interest to the field and community.
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Comments to Author
The principle of the game seems to be an exciting approach to learning microbiology. The content of the game has been designed well. I found the rules too complicated, but I imagine it would become more accessible after several tries. The study has been well planned with a post-test evaluation between both groups, players and control. The analysis of the knowledge acquired, perception of learning and enjoyment gained by the players compared with the control are different variables that need to be measured and analysed differently, and the authors have addressed that difference well by using two statistical tests. This game could be a good and an informal addition for revising microbiology concepts.
Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour
Satisfactory
Pleas…
Comments to Author
The principle of the game seems to be an exciting approach to learning microbiology. The content of the game has been designed well. I found the rules too complicated, but I imagine it would become more accessible after several tries. The study has been well planned with a post-test evaluation between both groups, players and control. The analysis of the knowledge acquired, perception of learning and enjoyment gained by the players compared with the control are different variables that need to be measured and analysed differently, and the authors have addressed that difference well by using two statistical tests. This game could be a good and an informal addition for revising microbiology concepts.
Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour
Satisfactory
Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript
Good
To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?
Partially support
Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?
No
Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?
No
If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?
Yes
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Comments to Author
Imwattana et al. have presented an interesting paper about the BactoBattle game as a learning companion for antimicrobial resistance. Overall, the paper is systematic and clearly written, and it was a pleasure to read. The game is set up well, with all information about the game freely available on Figshare, and the post-test questions available as supplementary data. The authors have identified the low number of participants as a major limitation in the study, but within these limits, data is presented and analysed appropriately, and reasonable conclusions drawn from the data. The discussion clearly considers the limitations in the study, and provides opportunities for changes/improvements in future studies. Major comment: 1. It is sometimes not clear to me how certain aspects like student …
Comments to Author
Imwattana et al. have presented an interesting paper about the BactoBattle game as a learning companion for antimicrobial resistance. Overall, the paper is systematic and clearly written, and it was a pleasure to read. The game is set up well, with all information about the game freely available on Figshare, and the post-test questions available as supplementary data. The authors have identified the low number of participants as a major limitation in the study, but within these limits, data is presented and analysed appropriately, and reasonable conclusions drawn from the data. The discussion clearly considers the limitations in the study, and provides opportunities for changes/improvements in future studies. Major comment: 1. It is sometimes not clear to me how certain aspects like student satisfaction was ascertained (e.g. "overall learning enjoyment" and "motivation scores": Lines 168-169). It would be beneficial to include the questionnaire used to assess the student's self-evaluation of the game and their learning in the supplementary data. Minor comments: 2. Lines 141-146: For the statistical analysis, was a normality test used to determine if data was analysed by T test or Mann Whitney U? 3. Lines 172-173: It's an interesting observation that 80% of participants who did not play the game themselves would recommend it to others - do the authors have any insight on why this is the case? Are the participants who recommended the game the same students who could not get access to the game sets or did not have time? 4. In the Supplementary data Post-test questions: can a key be added to clearly indicate what the letters in the question numbers (B1-5, D1-5, and R1-5) refers to?
Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour
Good
Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript
Very good
To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?
Strongly support
Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?
No
Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?
No
If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?
Yes
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