Embracing the efficient learning of complex distillation by enhancing flipped classroom with tech-assisted gamification

Our students are digital natives and smartphones are part of their identity. However, the use of mobile devices in the classroom continues to be a non-integrated issue. For academic purposes, teaching actions involving smartphone apps expressly linked to student participation could be an opportunity to improve their performance. Under this premise, the use of the Quizizz app as a way of enhancing the flipped classroom methodology is herein proposed. The reported experience took place within a mass transfer separation course, at the Master level, during the academic courses 2021–22 and 2022–23. Enhanced distillation, a topic that is instrumental to future professionals in the field of Chemical Engineering, was addressed. It was found that the proposed approach allowed the students to better interpret the vapor-liquid and vapor-liquid-liquid phase equilibrium diagrams. Hence, the students demonstrated more skilled performance when they were asked to propose suited separation schemes (complex fractional distillation) using the Aspen Plus process simulator. Such success was not only in terms of deeper understanding but also on the observed predisposition towards autonomous learning. • Gamification was found to enhance previous autonomous work at home. • Deeper understanding of phase equilibrium diagrams yielded better process simulations. • McCabe diagrams were more difficult to interpret than T-x,y diagrams. • Multiple choice questions based on a visual environment helped capture the students’ attention.