Stormslam survey results

<p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, educators have faced a shift to remote or hybrid instruction in large courses and the diminished engagement of students resulting from that shift. In this study, a no-cost online game (Stormslam) was used as an engagement tool in a general science hybrid course for non-meteorology majors at Purdue University in Spring 2021. In Stormslam, players engage in a virtual storm chasing, moving an imaginary vehicle around the continental United States at highway speeds and planting “probes” at designated drop sites. Scores are based on a combination of observed winds and precipitation at the sites. The purpose of integrating the game into the course was to create friendly competition between all learners (in-person and remote), improve weather forecasting skill, and improve awareness of current weather patterns. Students were further asked to distill their gameplay strategy into a short essay, which their classmates peer-reviewed. Survey responses indicated that the game increased students’ awareness of current weather, their forecasting skill, and helped them feel more engaged in the class. One limitation of this study is that respondents self-selected for those who played the game most often (two or more times per week). We offer our experience as a potential tool for instructors seeking to increase engagement in weather-focused courses.</p>