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<p>Gamification shows promise for enhancing student engagement in higher education; however, most research employs traditional experimental designs that fail to capture the iterative, context-sensitive process necessary for effective implementation. This study demonstrates how Educational Design Research (EDR) provides a robust methodological framework for gamification research, moving beyond effectiveness questions to understand how game-based interventions can be systematically designed and refined over time. Responding to persistent engagement challenges in a graduate instructional design course where students reported content as “dry and uninteresting,” a collaborative research team employed EDR methodology across six iterations. Using the Werbach and Hunter framework, the team systematically integrated gamification dynamics (space exploration narrative), mechanics (mission-based progression), and components (leaderboards, badges, interactive multimedia). Data from 188 participants included performance metrics and satisfaction surveys (<i>n</i> = 143, 76% response rate), analyzed through mixed-methods approaches, including systematic qualitative coding. Findings reveal students engaged most actively with narrative-driven missions and collaborative discussions. Students reported enhanced motivation compared to traditional course formats, with qualitative analysis revealing appreciation for coherent storylines, meaningful progression, and authentic connections between game elements and learning objectives. The iterative EDR process enabled continuous refinement, resulting in five empirically grounded design principles: collaborative design, narrative continuity, interactive technological ecosystems, peer-to-peer interaction, and flexible engagement strategies. This study provides practical guidance for gamification implementation and methodological innovation in educational technology research, demonstrating how EDR’s systematic approach captures complex contextual factors influencing gamification success and generates transferable theoretical understanding about game-based learning design.</p>

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Beyond points and badges: systematic design and refinement of gamified learning through educational design research

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月27日

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  • Susie L. Gronseth,
  • Sara G. McNeil,
  • Martha Y. Lopez

摘要

Gamification shows promise for enhancing student engagement in higher education; however, most research employs traditional experimental designs that fail to capture the iterative, context-sensitive process necessary for effective implementation. This study demonstrates how Educational Design Research (EDR) provides a robust methodological framework for gamification research, moving beyond effectiveness questions to understand how game-based interventions can be systematically designed and refined over time. Responding to persistent engagement challenges in a graduate instructional design course where students reported content as “dry and uninteresting,” a collaborative research team employed EDR methodology across six iterations. Using the Werbach and Hunter framework, the team systematically integrated gamification dynamics (space exploration narrative), mechanics (mission-based progression), and components (leaderboards, badges, interactive multimedia). Data from 188 participants included performance metrics and satisfaction surveys (n = 143, 76% response rate), analyzed through mixed-methods approaches, including systematic qualitative coding. Findings reveal students engaged most actively with narrative-driven missions and collaborative discussions. Students reported enhanced motivation compared to traditional course formats, with qualitative analysis revealing appreciation for coherent storylines, meaningful progression, and authentic connections between game elements and learning objectives. The iterative EDR process enabled continuous refinement, resulting in five empirically grounded design principles: collaborative design, narrative continuity, interactive technological ecosystems, peer-to-peer interaction, and flexible engagement strategies. This study provides practical guidance for gamification implementation and methodological innovation in educational technology research, demonstrating how EDR’s systematic approach captures complex contextual factors influencing gamification success and generates transferable theoretical understanding about game-based learning design.