Gamification in Online Education

Enhancing Primary School Students' Engagement in Arithmetic after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The shift to online education in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a noticeable decline in the engagement of primary school students in their education, especially in critical skills like arithmetic. This study explores the potential of gamification, a technique that incorporates game-like elements into educational activities, a tool for promoting student engagement. Utilising the Android application QuickDigits, which offers fast-paced, competitive, and adaptive arithmetic problems, we examined the change in students' involvement with arithmetic following exposure to the game. The study involved a pre- & post-survey design, with a sample of 25 primary school students from Noida, India. Engagement was quantified through an ‘engagement score’ obtained from a Google Forms survey which asked 3 questions about the students' enthusiasm, motivation, and enjoyment of arithmetic. Results from a paired right-tailed t-test indicated a significant increase in engagement scores post-application usage (p<0.005), suggesting that gamified learning can boost primary school students' engagement with arithmetic. Furthermore, the data revealed a potential link between intrinsic motivation and external requirements among students, hinting at a complex interplay of factors affecting their engagement. These findings underscore the potential of gamification as an effective strategy for maintaining student engagement in a digital learning environment, particularly in crucial skill areas like arithmetic. It also suggests that further research is required to elucidate the relationship between intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and gamified learning.