Gamification in Physics Education: Play Your Way to Better Learning

Abstract

This research investigates the effectiveness of gamification in enhancing student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes in physics education, with a particular emphasis on structural performance modeling through Knowledge Space Theory (KST). The study utilizes Basketball Physics Challenge  - a game designed to teach fundamental physics concepts like initial velocity, motion, and trajectory - and compares the outcomes of gamified versus non-gamified learning environments. The experimental design involved 10^th grade students from a secondary school in Liechtenstein, using a crossover methodology where participants alternated between gamified and non-gamified versions of the game. The results indicate that gamification significantly boosts engagement and performance metrics, as evidenced by increased time on task, a higher frequency of attempts, and better scores compared to the non-gamified condition. Additionally, gamification positively influences motivation, particularly when experienced before non-gamified sessions. Although quiz performance did not show significant differences between conditions, a strong positive correlation was observed between game scores and quiz points in the gamified condition during the second session. The study, furthermore, analyzed structural performance and learning trajectories, demonstrating that gamification fosters a more dynamic and effective learning process. This study highlights the potential of gamification to transform physics education by enhancing student motivation and engagement, thereby promoting a deeper understanding and retention of complex scientific concepts.