Repository logo
 
Publication

The impact of educational gamification on cognition, emotions, and motivation: a randomized controlled trial

2025-07-15Research article Open access
Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorCoelho, Franz
dc.contributor.authorRando, Belén
dc.contributor.authorAparício, David
dc.contributor.authorPontífice-Sousa, Patrícia
dc.contributor.authorGonçalves, Daniel
dc.contributor.authorAbreu, Ana Maria
dc.date.accessioned2025-09-10T13:20:45Z
dc.date.available2025-09-10T13:20:45Z
dc.date.issued2025-07-15
dc.description.abstractThis study examines the impact of gamification on education using a novel gamified digital learning platform and a randomized controlled trial (RCT) protocol. Following established research guidelines (CONSORT, Cochrane Collaboration, EVAT©), we assessed the individual and combined effects of points, badges, and challenges against a control group without gamification. The RCT evaluated participant characteristics (sociodemographics, game habits, player traits) and outcomes in cognition (learning, engagement, webcam-based eye-tracking for visual attention, cognitive load), emotions (affective states, webcam-based facial emotion recognition), and motivation (intrinsic motivation). Results showed significantly higher learning for participants using all game elements versus the control group, while badges alone increased cognitive load compared to the other gamification groups. These findings suggest that gamification is more effective when thoughtfully integrating game elements rather than applying elements in isolation, aligning goal-setting with feedback, and combining intrinsic and extrinsic motivational cues. The absence of significant results in other variables may reflect the novelty effect, emphasizing the importance of aligning gamification with pedagogical goals, considering individual and contextual factors, and designing systems that address usability and long-term impact. Educational implications and design recommendations are provided.eng
dc.identifier.citationCoelho, F., Rando, B., Aparício, D., & Pontífice-Sousa, P. et al. (in press). The impact of educational gamification on cognition, emotions, and motivation: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Computers in Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-025-00366-x
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s40692-025-00366-x
dc.identifier.eid105010773386
dc.identifier.issn2197-9987
dc.identifier.other953c0b49-d00e-42aa-963b-dd35dd776631
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/54781
dc.identifier.wos001529080600001
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectDigital learning
dc.subjectGamifcation
dc.subjectHuman-computer interaction
dc.subjectInterdisciplinary projects
dc.subjectMedia in education
dc.titleThe impact of educational gamification on cognition, emotions, and motivation: a randomized controlled trialeng
dc.typeresearch article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.titleJournal of Computers in Education
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
124020644.pdf
Size:
1.82 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

CIIS - Contribuições em Revistas Científicas / Contribution to Journals