Instructional Game Strategies in Education: A Meta-Analysis of Gamification and Game-Based Learning on Student Engagement, Motivation, and Academic Achievement

Ahyani Radhiani; Farouk Abouseada; Wildan; Kameliani

doi:10.56741/IISTR.ijlree.001911

Authors

Ahyani Radhiani
ahyani.unbn@gmail.com
Universitas Nani Bili Nusantara https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7190-6769
Farouk Abouseada University of Texas Rio Grande Valley https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4392-6788
Wildan Universitas Negeri Gorontalo
Kameliani Universitas Negeri Gorontalo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56741/IISTR.ijlree.001911

Keywords:

Engagement, Gamification, Game-based learning, Motivation, Student achievement

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effects of gamification and game-based learning on learners’ behavior, which includes academic performance, involvement, and motivation. It also analyzes the efficacy and prevalence of gamification as well as gaming-oriented learning research across diverse educational stages, regions, and scientific fields. This meta-analysis consists of 60 selected articles published between 2013 and 2023 on Scopus, ERIC, and the Web of Science, that have passed the screening process and met the predetermined criteria. Findings show that gamification generates bigger influence on learners’ engagement (0.65 [0.43, 0.87]), while game-based learning has more impact on motivation (0.46 [0.28, 0.64]) and achievement (1.09 [0.60, 1.59]). Results also indicate that the effectiveness of gamification and game-based learning is more prevalent at the university level, in South Asian countries, and in the humanities. On the contrary, research on these learning methods is more popular at the university level, in East Asian countries, and within the sciences field.

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Author Biographies

Ahyani Radhiani, Universitas Nani Bili Nusantara

is a lecturer at Nani Bili Nusantara University, Southwest Papua, Indonesia. Her research interests focus on digital learning and emerging technologies in education. She is actively involved in teaching, research, and academic collaboration related to instructional technology, ICT in education and educational technology. (email: ahyani.unbn@gmail.com).

Farouk Abouseada, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

is an American academic and a research scholar who is at the finishing stages of completing his Doctor of Education degree at the University of Texas. In addition to that, Farouk is currently an engineering graduate student at Northwestern University. He completed and graduated from the United States with eight Higher Education level degrees comprising two Masters' degrees, one bachelor's degree, and five Associates' degrees. Farouk had also attained educational certificates from Cambridge University in England, United Kingdom. Farouk had been an educator for almost fifteen years and is a certified professional advanced level tutor. Academia and research is what Farouk loves to do but in his free time; Farouk loves horseback riding and scuba diving. (email: faro.mdphd@gmail.com).

Wildan, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo

was born in Bima in 1994 and is currently a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. He began his undergraduate studies (S1) at Universitas Negeri Makassar in 2012, and later started his master’s degree (S2) at the Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Makassar in 2016. Alongside teaching and tutoring, he is also active in writing books, and contributing to research. (email: wildanteknik@ung.ac.id).

Kameliani, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo

was born in Nabire in 1994 and is currently a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo. She commenced her undergraduate studies (S1) at Universitas Negeri Makassar in 2012 and subsequently pursued a master’s degree (S2) at the Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Makassar, in 2017. Beyond her teaching duties, she remains actively engaged in authoring books, tutoring, and contributing to research. (email: kamelianimath@ung.ac.id).

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