Prototype for a gamified tutoring system.

Abstract

Gamification, defined as the incorporation of video game elements in non-gaming-related fields, is a promising approach to improving student motivation. The goal of gamification is to align intrinsic motivation with extrinsic rewards in order to promote changes in behavior. Gamification has been used to enhance engagement in educational systems, including those that are based on research.<br /> <br /> In STEM fields, research plays a fundamental role in preparing university students. It not only advances knowledge within a particular field, but also contributes to the development of critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. However, funding for scientific research is often prioritized for graduate students, and resources to support undergraduate research are often limited. Additionally, limited feedback may further decrease student motivation to engage in complex academic tasks.<br /> <br /> Many systems mainly integrate reward-based mechanics to create gamified experiences and do not implement a complete gamification framework. A fully integrated, gamified system utilizes student data to create dynamic and personalized environments that contribute to the formation of desired habits and behaviors. In this project, we developed a prototype for an integrative, metrics-driven gamified tutoring system designed to create an engaging, personalized, and evolving virtual experience. This gamified system aids in the development of undergraduate students' scientific research skills by implementing a student profile subsystem and activity cycle framework to serve as the basis for the creation of gamified activities and rewards to keep students intrinsically motivated. In addition, the gamification system is designed to provide the robustness and flexibility necessary for instructors to design gamified activities with associated reward mechanisms. Finally, we proposed an evaluation framework to guide the continuous improvement of the system.