Gamification Intensity in Web-Based Virtual Training Environments and Its Effect on Learning

Abstract

Gamification approaches to learning use game-inspired design elements to improve learning. Given manifold design options to implement gamification in virtual environments, an important but underexplored research area is how the composition of gamification elements affects learning. To advance research in this area, we systematically identified key design elements that have shown promise in leading to positive learning results. We then conducted an experiment in which we varied gamification intensity in web-based virtual training environments for a procedural industrial task. In total, 355 participants were divided into a baseline group without gamification, a basic, and an advanced gamification group. Analysis of participants’ learning included learning outcomes (time-to-completion and number of mistakes), affective learning factors (motivation, self-efficacy, and satisfaction), learning system usability, and perceived cognitive load throughout the learning process. The results did not show any statistically significant differences between the lower and higher levels of gamification intensity. Conversely, we found that participants’ computer gaming habits and technical equipment (display size and computer pointing device) significantly influenced learning.

BibTeX

				
					@ARTICLE{9900448,
  author={Bohné, Thomas and Heine, Ina and Mueller, Felix and Zuercher, Paul-David Joshua and Eger, Vera Maria},
  journal={IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies}, 
  title={Gamification Intensity in Web-Based Virtual Training Environments and Its Effect on Learning}, 
  year={2023},
  volume={16},
  number={5},
  pages={603-618},
  doi={10.1109/TLT.2022.3208936}}
				
			
APA Reference

T. Bohné, I. Heine, F. Mueller, P. -D. J. Zuercher and V. M. Eger, “Gamification Intensity in Web-Based Virtual Training Environments and Its Effect on Learning,” in IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 603-618, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1109/TLT.2022.3208936.

Cyber-human Lab Contributors

Paul-David Zürcher

Paul-David Zuercher is a postgraduate researcher at the Cyber-Human lab at the Universiy of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering. His research is focusing on optimisation...

Dr Thomas Bohné

Thomas Bohné is the founder and head of the Cyber-Human Lab at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering. He is also leading research...