The effects of gamification on the motivation and basic psychological needs of secondary school physical education students

ABSTRACT

Background

Gamification is a novel active methodology used in Physical Education to motivate students. Purpose: This study analyzed the impact of this method on the motivation of Compulsory Secondary Education students in Spain during an 8-session Physical Education Didactic Unit.

Methods

A total of 275 students participated, divided into a gamified group (n = 133) and a control group (n = 142). The participants filled out 2 questionnaires, one aimed at assessing Basic Psychological Needs (BPNs) (Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale) and the other at measuring the motivational component (The Sport Motivation Scale).

Results

An interaction effect (Time x Treatment) was found, with the gamified group improving in BPNs (autonomy (F(1) 57.97, p = <0.001; η²_p = 0.175); competence (F(1)  37.28, p = <0.001; η²_p = 0.120); relatedness (F(1) 51.49, p = <0.001; η²_p = 0.159), and intrinsic motivation (F(1) 39.65, p = <0.001; η²_p = 0.127), while decreasing in amotivation (F(1) 21.42, p = <0.001; η²_p = 0.073)).

Conclusions

These data suggest that a gamified intervention enhances the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, increases intrinsic motivation, while decreases amotivation in secondary education students.

KEYWORDS:

• Data science applications in education
• improving classroom teaching
• informal learning
• teaching/learning strategies
• secondary education

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank all the participant high schools, teachers and students for their involvement in the study. This research was funded by the University of Alicante, grant number ‘XARXES-I3CE-2020-5097’.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Universidad de Alicante: [Grant Number XARXES-I3CE-2020-5097].

Notes on contributors

Víctor Javier Sotos-Martínez

Victor Javier Sotos-Martínez: Is a PhD Student in the Faculty of Education at University of Alicante, Spain.

Alberto Ferriz-Valero

Alberto Ferriz-Valero: PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at University of Alicante, Spain. He currently has more than 10 years of experience as a teacher of Physical Education in education public centres (primary, secondary and high schools)

Salvador García-Martínez

Salvador García-Martínez: Is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at University of Alicante, Spain. He currently has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher of Physical Education in education public centres (primary, secondary and high schools)

Juan Tortosa-Martínez

Juan Tortosa-Martínez: PhD, is a Senior lecturer in Physical Education and Sports Science at the University of Alicante’s Faculty of Education. Vice Dean of Master’s Degrees and Research.