Os jogos digitais e o ensino de biologia: uma revisão bibliográfica

Abstract

Technological advances have significantly transformed the way people learn, making the integration of technology into education an essential societal need. This shift is equally relevant in the teaching of Biology. There is an increasing demand for interdisciplinary and contextualized pedagogical practices that incorporate technology. In this context, digital games have proven to be a promising tool for enhancing the understanding of science and biology content. However, it is crucial to conduct thorough analyses of studies on the application of these digital pedagogical resources to better understand their contributions and limitations in Biology education. This research aims to analyze, through a survey of articles from academic databases, the use of digital games in teaching Biology at the basic education level. The study was conducted by consulting four databases (CAPES, SCIELO, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar Journals), using specific descriptors (“biology teaching,” “digital games,” “virtual games,” and “gamification”) combined with the Boolean operators AND and OR. The results revealed a lack of research on the practical application of digital games in teaching biology content at the high school level. Out of 1,627 studies found, only 19 met the inclusion criteria. However, the analysis of these studies indicates that, in the past decade—particularly between 2020 and 2023—digital games have had a positive impact on Biology education in basic education, largely due to the adaptation to remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Games such as online quizzes, RPGs, and maze-based question games, offered by platforms like Kahoot and Wordwall, were widely used. These games promoted more dynamic, interactive, and engaging lessons, while also stimulating student motivation and teamwork. Nonetheless, the lack of infrastructure in schools and insufficient teacher training remain significant barriers to expanding the use of this resource. To foster meaningful transformation, it is essential to invest in both technology and teacher professional development.