Assessing the effect of computer-assisted gamification on the motivation of computer programming students

Original title (Spanish): Evaluación del efecto de la gamificación asistida por computador en la motivación de los estudiantes de programación de computadores

Description

Teaching and learning Computer Programming poses challenges that call for methodologies in which students take an active role. Game-related methodologies, including gamification (the use of game elements in non-game contexts), are studied for their possible effect on motivation, participation, performance and engagement.

Computer-assisted gamified environments have been integrated into programming courses; qualitative findings tend to be positive, while several quantitative analyses find no statistically significant effects. More empirical evidence is needed.

Goal

To study the effect of computer-assisted gamification on the motivation to learn of Computer Programming students.

Method

• Selection of CodeGym as the gamified environment (literature review and comparative analysis)
• Quasi-experimental study with an educational intervention
• Measurement with the MSLQ-Colombia questionnaire and a perception survey
• 48 students in two control groups and one experimental group (convenience sampling)

Results

In the experimental group, the levels associated with task value (importance, usefulness, and liking of or interest in the course topics) increased significantly.

Keywords

Gamification · Computer programming · Gamified environments · Learning motivation

Related publication

K.D. Cuervo-Cely, J.J. Ramírez-Echeverry, F. Restrepo-Calle (2020). Computer-Assisted Gamification In A Computer Programming Course: An Experience Report. ICERI 2020, pp. 6006–6015.

Authors

Edna Johanna Chaparro Amaya
Master's student in Systems and Computing Engineering
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Email: edchaparroa@unal.edu.co