Gamification in e-learning: The Effect on Student Performance

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of gamification elements such as points, level-up, badges and leaderboard in Moodle learning management system on students' performance. Forty-seven computer science students were participated in the online Computer Architecture course in two different settings. Students of the experimental group studied with gamification tools (points, level-up, badges and leaderboard) and students of the control group had access to the same content and activities without the gamification elements. The results indicated that students in the experimental group had higher grades than the control group students indicating a statistically significant difference regarding the students' performance on post-test scores