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; η2p = 0.175); competence (F(1) 37.28, p = <0.001; η2p = 0.120); relatedness (F(1) 51.49, p = <0.001; η2p = 0.159), and intrinsic motivation (F(1) 39.65, p = <0.001; η2p = 0.127), while decreasing in amotivation (F(1) 21.42, p = <0.001; η2p = 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.
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
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.