Game mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so far
This literature review addresses the research surrounding gamification in online learning, focusing on the game mechanics studied in conjunction with the pedagogical aspirations they were employed to support. Findings include frequencies of game mechanics studied, showing a continuum from most studi...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Arizona Libraries
2018-04-01
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| Series: | Issues and Trends in Educational Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/itlt/article/id/1509/ |
| _version_ | 1818401812312489984 |
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| author | Craig Howard Katherine Bevins |
| author_facet | Craig Howard Katherine Bevins |
| author_sort | Craig Howard |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This literature review addresses the research surrounding gamification in online learning, focusing on the game mechanics studied in conjunction with the pedagogical aspirations they were employed to support. Findings include frequencies of game mechanics studied, showing a continuum from most studied, badges closely followed by leaderboards, to the least studied, storylines. Pedagogical aspirations fell into five thematic groups, where frequencies ranged from the most often targeted numerical learning outcomes, to the least often targeted, playfulness. A frequency continuum of tools used to gamify instructional designs is included. We conclude that the strategic selection of game mechanics is possible, but the research trajectory surrounding the implementation of gamified designs is haphazard. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T07:58:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-53878f635d7a4885ada312f278f85470 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2168-1325 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T07:58:25Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | University of Arizona Libraries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Issues and Trends in Educational Technology |
| spelling | doaj.art-53878f635d7a4885ada312f278f854702022-12-21T23:10:30ZengUniversity of Arizona LibrariesIssues and Trends in Educational Technology2168-13252018-04-016110.2458/azu_itet_v6i1_bevinsGame mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so farCraig Howard0Katherine Bevins1The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleThe University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleThis literature review addresses the research surrounding gamification in online learning, focusing on the game mechanics studied in conjunction with the pedagogical aspirations they were employed to support. Findings include frequencies of game mechanics studied, showing a continuum from most studied, badges closely followed by leaderboards, to the least studied, storylines. Pedagogical aspirations fell into five thematic groups, where frequencies ranged from the most often targeted numerical learning outcomes, to the least often targeted, playfulness. A frequency continuum of tools used to gamify instructional designs is included. We conclude that the strategic selection of game mechanics is possible, but the research trajectory surrounding the implementation of gamified designs is haphazard.https://journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/itlt/article/id/1509/GamificationOnline LearningGames for Learning |
| spellingShingle | Craig Howard Katherine Bevins Game mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so far Issues and Trends in Educational Technology Gamification Online Learning Games for Learning |
| title | Game mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so far |
| title_full | Game mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so far |
| title_fullStr | Game mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so far |
| title_full_unstemmed | Game mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so far |
| title_short | Game mechanics and why they are employed: What we know about gamification so far |
| title_sort | game mechanics and why they are employed what we know about gamification so far |
| topic | Gamification Online Learning Games for Learning |
| url | https://journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/itlt/article/id/1509/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT craighoward gamemechanicsandwhytheyareemployedwhatweknowaboutgamificationsofar AT katherinebevins gamemechanicsandwhytheyareemployedwhatweknowaboutgamificationsofar |