Gamification: potentials and challenges in teaching and learning in science

Abstract

Educational technology plays an important part in the growth of education in the 21st century. Yet the absence of infusion between technology and education in schools, has led to the de-motivation among many students and teachers with the current education system. Therefore with the evolution in technology, especially with the arrival of android devices, interaction with games has been on the rise; making it a daily routine and addictive part of people?s lives. By using the game design elements in non-game contexts, gamification is created. These elements are points, badges and leader board. In the corporate world, gamification has been used as a motivational pull in achieving goals. These qualities relate to the instigators of motivation; purpose, autonomy and mastery. So we can deduce that the capabilities of game in causing a change in human lives go beyond its intended purpose of fun. As students are familiar with the usage of technology, infusing gamification to improve teaching and learning in schools may reap favourable results. Yet there has been lacking research in the effectiveness of gamification in learning and teaching. This creates an opening for a research to be carried out in this field. The aim of this paper is to explore the potentials as well as challenges of using gamification to enhance the teaching and learning in Malaysia schools.