Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific Method
Although increasing student motivation is widely accepted to enhance learning outcomes, this relationship has scarcely been studied quantitatively. Therefore, this study aimed to address this knowledge gap by exploring the effects of gamification on students’ motivation and consequently their learni...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-03-01
|
| Series: | Education Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/3/302 |
| _version_ | 1797612257246445568 |
|---|---|
| author | Ana Okariz Marta Huebra Ane Sarasola Julen Ibarretxe Gorka Bidegain Jose Luis Zubimendi |
| author_facet | Ana Okariz Marta Huebra Ane Sarasola Julen Ibarretxe Gorka Bidegain Jose Luis Zubimendi |
| author_sort | Ana Okariz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although increasing student motivation is widely accepted to enhance learning outcomes, this relationship has scarcely been studied quantitatively. Therefore, this study aimed to address this knowledge gap by exploring the effects of gamification on students’ motivation and consequently their learning performance, regarding the proper application of the scientific method. To motivate students and enhance their acquisition of new skills, we developed a gamification framework for the laboratory sessions of first-year physics in an engineering degree. Data regarding student motivation were collected through a Likert-scale-type satisfaction questionnaire. The inter-item correlations and Cronbach’s alpha confirmed the internal consistency of the questionnaire. In addition, the learning outcome was assessed based on the students’ laboratory reports. Students participating in gamified activities were more motivated than those participating in non-gamified activities and obtained better learning results overall. Our findings suggest that gamified laboratory sessions boost students´ extrinsic motivation, and consequently inspire their intrinsic motivation and increase their learning performance. Finally, we discuss our results, with a focus on specific skills and the short- and long-term effects of gamification. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:39:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-44a8af3705f0460596c9323a69aa4fdd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-7102 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:39:42Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Education Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-44a8af3705f0460596c9323a69aa4fdd2023-11-17T10:42:19ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022023-03-0113330210.3390/educsci13030302Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific MethodAna Okariz0Marta Huebra1Ane Sarasola2Julen Ibarretxe3Gorka Bidegain4Jose Luis Zubimendi5Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo Rafael Moreno “Pitxitxi” 3, 48013 Bibao, SpainDepartment of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo Rafael Moreno “Pitxitxi” 3, 48013 Bibao, SpainDepartment of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Europa Plaza 1, 20018 Donostia, SpainDepartment of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo Rafael Moreno “Pitxitxi” 3, 48013 Bibao, SpainDepartment of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo Rafael Moreno “Pitxitxi” 3, 48013 Bibao, SpainDepartment of Applied Physics, Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Paseo Rafael Moreno “Pitxitxi” 3, 48013 Bibao, SpainAlthough increasing student motivation is widely accepted to enhance learning outcomes, this relationship has scarcely been studied quantitatively. Therefore, this study aimed to address this knowledge gap by exploring the effects of gamification on students’ motivation and consequently their learning performance, regarding the proper application of the scientific method. To motivate students and enhance their acquisition of new skills, we developed a gamification framework for the laboratory sessions of first-year physics in an engineering degree. Data regarding student motivation were collected through a Likert-scale-type satisfaction questionnaire. The inter-item correlations and Cronbach’s alpha confirmed the internal consistency of the questionnaire. In addition, the learning outcome was assessed based on the students’ laboratory reports. Students participating in gamified activities were more motivated than those participating in non-gamified activities and obtained better learning results overall. Our findings suggest that gamified laboratory sessions boost students´ extrinsic motivation, and consequently inspire their intrinsic motivation and increase their learning performance. Finally, we discuss our results, with a focus on specific skills and the short- and long-term effects of gamification.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/3/302gamificationmotivationlearning outcomescientific skills |
| spellingShingle | Ana Okariz Marta Huebra Ane Sarasola Julen Ibarretxe Gorka Bidegain Jose Luis Zubimendi Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific Method Education Sciences gamification motivation learning outcome scientific skills |
| title | Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific Method |
| title_full | Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific Method |
| title_fullStr | Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific Method |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific Method |
| title_short | Gamifying Physics Laboratory Work Increases Motivation and Enhances Acquisition of the Skills Required for Application of the Scientific Method |
| title_sort | gamifying physics laboratory work increases motivation and enhances acquisition of the skills required for application of the scientific method |
| topic | gamification motivation learning outcome scientific skills |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/3/302 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anaokariz gamifyingphysicslaboratoryworkincreasesmotivationandenhancesacquisitionoftheskillsrequiredforapplicationofthescientificmethod AT martahuebra gamifyingphysicslaboratoryworkincreasesmotivationandenhancesacquisitionoftheskillsrequiredforapplicationofthescientificmethod AT anesarasola gamifyingphysicslaboratoryworkincreasesmotivationandenhancesacquisitionoftheskillsrequiredforapplicationofthescientificmethod AT julenibarretxe gamifyingphysicslaboratoryworkincreasesmotivationandenhancesacquisitionoftheskillsrequiredforapplicationofthescientificmethod AT gorkabidegain gamifyingphysicslaboratoryworkincreasesmotivationandenhancesacquisitionoftheskillsrequiredforapplicationofthescientificmethod AT joseluiszubimendi gamifyingphysicslaboratoryworkincreasesmotivationandenhancesacquisitionoftheskillsrequiredforapplicationofthescientificmethod |