Comparison of Mini-Game-Based Flipped Classroom and Video-Based Flipped Classroom: An Analysis of Learning Performance, Flow and Concentration on Discussion

The flipped classroom has been widely discussed in recent years, but some important issues still need in-depth exploration, including how to increase learners’ autonomous learning motivation before the class, how to work with in-class discussion activities, and how to improve learner’s concentration on discussions and lower their learning anxieties for high-level cognitive thinking. This study integrated theories of digital game-based learning (DGBL) and flipped classrooms, proposing the mini-game-based flipped classroom (MGFC) teaching model. In this teaching model, learners used a mini-educational game developed based on cognitive theories for DGBL autonomous learning in class, and then worked with collaborative problem solving (CPS) activities to improve learning and discussions. The study involved a quasi-experiment to evaluate this teaching model. The experimental group used MGFC, while the control group used the traditional flipped classroom teaching method by watching the video first and then having group discussions. The study analyzed the differences in the learning performance and acceptance of the two groups, and analyzed gender differences. Moreover, this study used quantitative content analysis (QCA) to explore learner’s concentration on their discussion content. The results showed that the MGFC group had significantly higher scores than the control group in their learning performance and acceptance. The MGFC group also showed a high level of flow. The QCA results showed that MGFC enhanced the frequency of learner’s learning discussions and their concentration in the learning process.