Study of Binqui. An application for smartphones based on the problems without data methodology to reduce stress levels and improve academic performance of chemical engineering students

Abstract

Chemical Engineering students are usually exposed to stress and anxiety situations during university period. Authors consider that a reduction in students’ stress levels can improve their academic results. A new experience based on the introduction of gamification strategies by incorporating a new methodology for solving engineering problems called PWD (problems without data) was proposed. This was related with a specific app design. Two students’ groups were randomly done and, despite having the same academic content and teacher, only one group used this methodology. Results showed that using these new elements for a subject called Basic Operations, belonging to the area of Chemical Engineering area of the University of León, the comfort and stress level of the students improved significantly. Thus, the average value of the stress perceived by the students, which initially was above a value of 5 out of 10, was reduced for those students who have followed the proposed methodology to levels below 3.5. Additionally, an related to the academic degree, a difference of 1.5 points (out of 7) was found for the students who had used the PWD methodology with respect to the control students.