An Investigation of the Impact of Gamification on Novice Programmers’ Achievement and Learning Experience

Abstract

Gamification is becoming a popular classroom intervention used in computer science instruction. It is used to encourage student behaviors to improve learning experience and achievement. However, existing studies have mostly implemented reward-based game elements which have resulted to contrasting behaviors among students. Meaningful gamification, the use of game design elements to encourage users build internal motivation is contended to be a more effective approach. The work presented in this paper explored how the use of a tool founded on meaningful gamification affect the achievement and learning experience of novice programmers. It also studied how different user types, as characterized by the Gamification User Types Hexad, vary in their response to different game design elements.