How does gamification affect learning effectiveness? The mediating roles of engagement, satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation

Abstract

Academic institutions have implemented methods to enhance student engagement, increase satisfaction levels, and maximize the efficacy of the learning process. Gamification has been increasingly used in education to enhance the efficacy of student learning, in contrast to traditional teaching methods. This study quantitatively examines the impact of gamification on learning efficacy by assessing variables such as engagement, satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation based on data from 255 survey responses by undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Vietnamese institutions. Participants had prior experience with gamified instructional methods. The findings indicate that individuals’ level of enjoyment and challenges impacted the effectiveness of their learning through the mediating processes of engagement, satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation. This study offers valuable insights for educational institutions, schools, teachers, and other scholars examining the impacts of intrinsic motivation, satisfaction, and engagement on learning effectiveness within the educational setting of gamification.