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Enablers and Difficulties in the Implementation of Gamification: A Case Study with Teachers

Abstract

Although there is ample evidence that gamification can engage students in learning, it is less used than one would expect. This raises the question of the difficulties teachers face in planning and implementing gamification in their classes. What enables teachers’ implementation of gamification? These questions were addressed through a case study, and data were collected along the four phases of a teachers’ training course. The first phase approached the gamification concept, the Octalysis Framework, the types of gamification, and digital tools. The second phase focused on planning the gamification activity, the third one on implementing it with their students in school, and the fourth phase on sharing and reflecting on their experience. It was possible to identify enablers and difficulties that influenced the planning, such as personal background, time available, and technical conditions in the classroom. Most teachers opted for a platform with digital tools that allowed them to apply all the desired features to their gamified activities. The most complex gamified activities were related to the teacher’s gaming experience, use of digital tools, and risk-taking.

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Enablers and Difficulties in the Implementation of Gamification: A Case Study with Teachers

Author: Araújo, Inês,Carvalho, Ana Amélia
Year: 2022
DOI: 10.3390/educsci12030191
Source: https://estudogeral.uc.pt/bitstream/10316/100478/1/Enablers-and-Difficulties-in-the-Implementation-of-Gamification-A-Case-Study-with-TeachersEducation-Sciences.pdf
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Ci a ion: A aújo, I.; Ca alho, A.A.
Enable s and Di icul ies in he
Implemen a ion o Gami ica ion: A
Case S udy wi h Teache s. Educ. Sci.
2022,12, 191. h ps://doi.o g/
10.3390/educsci12030191
Academic Edi o : Huei Tse Hou
Recei ed: 31 Janua y 2022
Accep ed: 7 Ma ch 2022
Published: 9 Ma ch 2022
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A ibu ion (CC BY) license (h ps://
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4.0/).
educa ion
sciences
A icle
Enable s and Di icul ies in he Implemen a ion o
Gami ica ion: A Case S udy wi h Teache s
Inês A aújo 1,* and Ana Amélia Ca alho 2
1
LabTE, Facul y o Psychology and Educa ional Sciences, Uni e si y o Coimb a, 3000-115 Coimb a, Po ugal
2Cen o de Es udos In e disciplina es, LabTE, Facul y o Psychology and Educa ional Sciences,
Uni e si y o Coimb a, 3000-115 Coimb a, Po ugal; [email p o ec ed]
*Co espondence: [email p o ec ed]
Abs ac :
Al hough he e is ample e idence ha gami ica ion can engage s uden s in lea ning, i is less
used han one would expec . This aises he ques ion o he di icul ies eache s ace in planning and
implemen ing gami ica ion in hei classes. Wha enables eache s’ implemen a ion o gami ica ion?
These ques ions we e add essed h ough a case s udy, and da a we e collec ed along he ou phases
o a eache s’ aining cou se. The i s phase app oached he gami ica ion concep , he Oc alysis
F amewo k, he ypes o gami ica ion, and digi al ools. The second phase ocused on planning
he gami ica ion ac i i y, he hi d one on implemen ing i wi h hei s uden s in school, and he
ou h phase on sha ing and e lec ing on hei expe ience. I was possible o iden i y enable s and
di icul ies ha in luenced he planning, such as pe sonal backg ound, ime a ailable, and echnical
condi ions in he class oom. Mos eache s op ed o a pla o m wi h digi al ools ha allowed hem
o apply all he desi ed ea u es o hei gami ied ac i i ies. The mos complex gami ied ac i i ies
we e ela ed o he eache ’s gaming expe ience, use o digi al ools, and isk- aking.
Keywo ds: gami ica ion; Oc alysis F amewo k; educa ion; eache aining
1. In oduc ion
Gami ica ion has p o ed o be a aluable s a egy o eaching, wi h a posi i e impac
on lea ning [
1
,
2
], bu i has also e ealed i sel as a complex esea ch heme. P e ious
esea ch iden i ied 586 possible ela ionships among a wide se o a iables [
3
]. O e
he yea s, esea ch has add essed aspec s such as he easons and he elemen s ha make
games so mo i a ing and how hey can be implemen ed in di e en con ex s [
4
,
5
], including
educa ion [
6
]. Games became an in e es ing new a ea o s udy o educa ion, disco e ing
new ways o mo i a e s uden s, since “ he elemen s o challenge, con ol, and upda e in
games ha e he po en ial o sus ain s uden s’ mo i a ion when playing games” [
7
] (p. 10).
Games p o ide di e en eelings, such as pleasu e and imme sion, o en becoming
addic i e, as hey a e based on heo ies o human beha io and mo i a ion [
4
,
6
,
8
–
10
].
Based on he emo ions and engagemen c ea ed by games, a new concep a ises, gami ica-
ion
[5,11,12]
, de ined by Kapp [
6
] (p. 12), o he educa ion con ex , as a me hodology o
“using game-based mechanics, aes he ics, and game hinking o engage people, mo i a e
ac ion, p omo e lea ning, and sol e p oblems”.
Nowadays, gami ica ion con inues o be a wide ield o esea ch in educa ion, pa -
icula ly in compu e science eaching [
1
,
2
,
13
]. Hama i [
14
] poin ed ou ha mos o he
s udies in gami ica ion gi e e idence o imp o ing engagemen and mo i a ion. In hese
s udies, some conce ns associa ed wi h compe i ion among s uden s, di icul ies wi h he
design, and p oblems in upda ing he ac i i y log we e iden i ied.
I should be no ed ha he s udies men ioned abo e mainly ocus on he impac o
game mechanisms on achie emen and p og ession [
1
,
2
]. Many o hem in ol e expe iences
wi h so wa e de eloped o speci ic con ex s, which makes he gene aliza ion o esea ch
esul s di icul [1].
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191. h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/educsci12030191 h ps://www.mdpi.com/jou nal/educa ion
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 2 o 13
The e a e se e al issues ela ed o gami ica ion ha need u he esea ch and a e also
di icul o unde s and because “ eache s can hea ily in luence he p ocess o gami ica-
ion” [
15
] (p. 25). S udying he enable s and di icul ies ha eache s may ha e du ing he
planning and implemen a ion o gami ied ac i i ies is he ocus o ou s udy.
1.1. Types o Gami ica ion
Kapp [
6
,
16
] dis inguishes wo ypes o gami ica ion ha can be applied: s uc u al
and con en . S uc u al gami ica ion co esponds o he applica ion o game mechanisms o
exis ing con en wi hou changing i [
16
]. Con en gami ica ion co esponds o he e o mu-
la ion o in o ma ion, dynamics, and con en i sel h ough game design elemen s [
16
]. I is
in ended o make he con en mo e game-like, gi ing con ex o i o de eloping ac i i ies
such as games. This is a mo e elabo a e ype o gami ica ion ha equi es be e p epa a ion
and in es men .
1.2. Oc alysis F amewo k o Gami ica ion
Tondello e al. [
17
] ha e compa ed he mos ci ed amewo ks o gami ica ion. They
iden i ied he wel e mos used mo i a ional dimensions. The Oc alysis F amewo k in-
cludes en o hem ac oss he eigh Co e D i es, making i he mos comp ehensi e. I also
emphasizes emo ions, making i simple o assimila e by hose who ha e li le expe ience
wi h games.
The Oc alysis F amewo k was de eloped by Chou [
8
] based on his expe ience as a
playe . Fo him, human mo i a ion can be igge ed by a leas one o he eigh Co e D i es
(CD) desc ibed below:
•
CD1—Epic Meaning and Calling: some hing ha d i es people o ac because hey
belie e ha hey dedica e hei ime o a g ea e goal;
•
CD 2—De elopmen and Accomplishmen : he desi e o each he nex le el, he de elop-
men o skills, he need o o e come challenges ha mo i a es ac ion;
•
CD 3—Empowe men o C ea i i y and Feedback: he c ea i e p ocess h ough which
playe s disco e new hings and y new combina ions, e.g., Lego and a ;
•
CD 4—Owne ship and Possession: he need o own o con ol some hing, e.g., collec -
ing i ems;
•
CD 5—Social In luence and Rela edness: all he social ac o s ha impel he human
being in he accomplishmen o some hing: men o ing, social accep ance, eedback,
companionship, compe i ion o e en en y;
•
CD 6—Sca ci y and Impa ience: wan ing some hing jus because i is ex emely a e,
exclusi e, o immedia ely una ailable;
•
CD 7—Unp edic abili y and Cu iosi y: wha d i es he ac ion s ems om he ac o no
knowing wha will happen a e ;
•
CD 8—Loss and A oidance: he need o a oid some hing nega i e, such as losing he
game o losing objec s collec ed by no pe o ming asks in a ce ain ime.
The e a e ules and game mechanics ha p omo e he emo ions ha cha ac e ize each
Co e D i e, making i possible o plan ac i i ies ha can engage s uden s h ough he ype
o mo i a ion ha easily g abs hei a en ion.
I is impo an o no e ha he Oc alysis F amewo k [
8
] o ganizes he Co e D i es in
wo ways:
•
Le B ain and Righ B ain: The Co e D i es in he le (CD1, 2, 4, 6, 8) a e associa ed
wi h conc e e ac ions and objec s, all ex insic mo i a ion, such as ewa ds, goals,
and he possibili y o collec ing any hing. The igh -side Co e D i es (CD1, 3, 5,
7, 8) a e cha ac e ized by emo ionali y, c ea i i y, sociali y, and cu iosi y, a mo e
in insic mo i a ion.
•
Posi i e and nega i e emo ions: The Co e D i es in he op hal (CD1, 2, 3, 4, 5) a e he
posi i e ones, he emo ions ha gi e us joy and ha we can con ol. The bo om hal
(CD4, 5, 6, 7, 8) a e he nega i e ones, such as addic ion, impa ience, u gency, he ones
we canno con ol.
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 3 o 13
Ou esea ch aims o iden i y enable s and di icul ies ha eache s may ha e du ing
he planning and implemen a ion o gami ied ac i i ies, highligh ing he decisions hey
need o make h oughou his p ocess and he p oblems hey need o o e come.
2. Ma e ials and Me hods
2.1. T aining Cou se
A aining cou se o eache s, named “S a egies and digi al ools o mo i a e s u-
den s o lea n h ough gami ica ion” [
18
], was ou lined wi h ou phases, and i an o
i e mon hs.
A wo kshop modali y was chosen o p o ide eache s wi h momen s o lea ning,
planning, and applica ion in hei classes. I equi ed a ailabili y beyond he aining
cou se hou s, which was no always easy o concilia e. The aining cou se had a o al
o
40 h
, om which 20 h we e o au onomous wo k. The aining combined ace- o- ace
classes and online sessions.
O e he ou phases o he aining cou se, eache s we e in i ed o be e lec i e
abou hei di icul ies, op ions, and s uden s’ eac ions o gami ica ion. Du ing he i s
phase, ainees acqui ed gami ica ion concep s. In he Oc alysis F amewo k, he ypes
o gami ica ion, namely s uc u e and con en gami ica ion, we e app oached, and hey
explo ed pla o ms and digi al ools. Gami ica ion was applied du ing aining o engage
pa icipan s, allowing hem o expe ience i and see how i wo ks [
18
]. Du ing he second
phase, ainees planned a gami ica ion ac i i y. They we e asked, as Kapp [
6
] sugges ed,
o iden i y a p oblem o be sol ed. Then, hey had o de ine he ools o be used du ing
gami ica ion and ou line he ac i i y. In phase h ee, ainees applied he gami ied ac i i y
wi h hei s uden s in school and epo ed he ongoing p ocess. In phase ou , he ainees
we e in i ed o sha e s uden s’ eac ions and hei expe iences, wi h possible imp o emen s
discussed and he main needs highligh ed. To conclude he cou se, hey had o submi a
inal epo .
2.2. Case S udy
Acco ding o Alsawaie [
19
], i is essen ial o unde s and gami ica ion holis ically
h ough s udies ca ied ou ha use mixed me hods. The au ho concluded ha mos o he
s udies in ol ing gami ica ion use quan i a i e me hodologies, ocusing on s a is ical anal-
ysis, and on he quan i a i e da a esul ing om he applica ion, namely game me ics and
he ewa d sys em. He also indica ed ha he use o quali a i e me hodologies is some hing
a e, as well as he use o mixed me hods, bu necessa y o unde s and gami ica ion.
The main ad an age o a case s udy me hodology is he possibili y o desc ibe a
phenomenon ha is s ill no well known. O he ad an ages a e ela ed o he ac ha i is
app op ia e o small-scale esea ch, limi ed in ime, and he ac ha i is an open me hod,
which can be e y use ul o u u e in e en ions and aid decision-making, conside ing
he phenomenon s udied [
20
]. This ype o me hodology is sui able when analyzing new
si ua ions o inding ou he how and why o ce ain e en s [21].
The aim o his case s udy is o unde s and he enable s and di icul ies o eache s
when hey c ea e gami ied ac i i ies and, a e wa ds, implemen hem wi h hei s uden s.
Du ing he aining cou se, da a we e collec ed h ough a ques ionnai e, pa icipan
obse a ion, ideo eco ding, and epo s p oduced by ainees (Table 1).
Du ing he i s session, a ques ionnai e o cha ac e iza ion and an in o med consen
o m we e illed in by he pa icipan s. In he ollowing sessions, da a we e collec ed
h ough ideo eco ding, namely he planning o he gami ied ac i i ies sessions, and he
inal session, whe e he ainees epo ed on hei expe ience and hei s uden s’ eac ions.
All he documen s p oduced (planning, epo s o implemen ed ac i i ies, and inal epo )
we e also collec ed o con en analysis.
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 4 o 13
Table 1. Da a collec ion du ing he aining phases.
Phase Con en Da a Collec ion
1s —Theo e ical backg ound
abou gami ica ion
Oc alysis F amewo k
Type o Gami ica ion
Digi al ools
Ques ionnai e o
Cha ac e iza ion
2nd—Planning o
gami ied ac i i y Digi al ools
Obse a ion
Video Reco ding
T ainees’ plans
3 d—Implemen a ion in
school class oom
4 h—Sha ing he expe ience
and discussion
Video Reco ding o he session
T ainees’ epo s
2.3. Pa icipan s
Fi e pa icipan s (P) inished he aining cou se. All o hem we e eache s o he
Po uguese 3 d Cycle o Basic Educa ion (s uden s aged 12 o 15 yea s old), wo we e
emale, and h ee we e male (Table 2). Thei ages anged om 37 o 55 yea s, wi h di e en
le els o expe ience. The oldes pa icipan had 32 yea s o se ice (P1), and he younges
had 9 yea s o se ice (P5). Rega ding gaming expe ience, h ee pa icipan s epo ed ha
hey played games o s a egy (P3), disco e y (P3), puzzle (P2), and simula ion (P4).
Table 2. Pa icipan in o ma ion.
Pa icipan Gende Gaming Expe ience Discipline
P1 Male No Biology and Geology
P2 Female Yes Special Educa ion
P3 Male Yes His o y
P4 Male Yes Physical Educa ion
P5 Female No His o y
The pa icipan s augh di e en subjec s: Biology and Geology, His o y, Physical
Educa ion, and Special Educa ion. The g oup was ega ded as he e ogeneous, aking in
conside a ion all he abo e-men ioned cha ac e is ics.
3. Resul s
3.1. Plan and Implemen a ion o Gami ica ion
All pa icipan s applied hei planned ac i i ies wi h hei s uden s (Table 3). P1, a
geology and biology eache , decided o add ess indiscipline amongs s uden s. He used
he Educaplay pla o m, c ea ing a g oup o his class. S uden s had o comple e di e en
challenges abou he con en lea ned in he class oom.
P2, a special educa ion eache , used he same pla o m, Educaplay, o p omo e eading.
He s uden s had o sol e games on Educaplay abou he s o ies hey ead.
P3, a his o y eache , c ea ed a mo e complex gami ica ion ac i i y, using di e en
digi al ools and analogic games. The s uden s we e in i ed o conduc ole-playing games
and ind he mo i es ha guided he Ma quis o Pombal o make he decision o go e n
Po ugal du ing he 18 h cen u y.
P4, a physical educa ion eache , challenged his s uden s o answe he ques ions
p esen ed in he Edmodo pla o m abou cu iosi ies in spo s.
P5, also a his o y eache , needed o aise awa eness o Wo ld Wa II (WWII) e en s.
She men ioned ha many s uden s hink ha WWII is like a mo ie; ha i is no eal. She
c ea ed a ques sequence using Blue abbi , Educaplay, and You ube. S uden s had he ole
o a jou nalis ha epo ed on e en s in WWII.
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 5 o 13
Table 3. Pa icipan s’ planning o gami ica ion.
Pa icipan Gami ica ion
Goal
Type o
Gami ica ion Tools Used Co e D i es Applied
P1 Reducing
indiscipline Con en Educaplay
CD2 De elopmen and
Accomplishmen
CD3 Empowe men o C ea i i y
and Feedback
CD4 Owne ship and Possession
CD5 Social In luence and Rela edness
CD6 Sca ci y and Impa ience
CD8 Loss and A oidance
P2 P omo ing
eading Con en Educaplay
CD2 De elopmen and
Accomplishmen
CD3 Empowe men o C ea i i y
and Feedback
CD6 Sca ci y and Impa ience
CD8 Loss and A oidance
P3
Despo ism in 18 h
cen u y Con en
Edmodo,
Hun zz,
Flippi y,
Boa d games
Role playing game
CD1 Epic Meaning and Calling
CD2 De elopmen and
Accomplishmen
CD3 Empowe men o C ea i i y
and Feedback
CD4 Owne ship and Possession
CD5 Social In luence and Rela edness
CD6 Sca ci y and Impa ience
CD7 Unp edic abili y and Cu iosi y
CD8 Loss and A oidance
P4 P omo ing spo s
cul u e S uc u al Edmodo CD4 Owne ship and Possession
CD6 Sca ci y and Impa ience
P5
Raising
awa eness o
Wo ld Wa II
e en s
Con en
Blue abbi
Educaplay
You ube
CD1 Epic Meaning and Calling
CD2 De elopmen and
Accomplishmen
CD3 Empowe men o C ea i i y
and Feedback
CD4 Owne ship and Possession
CD5 Social In luence and Rela edness
CD6 Sca ci y and Impa ience
CD7 Unp edic abili y and Cu iosi y
CD8 Loss and A oidance
Table 3shows ha all pa icipan s had di e en gami ica ion goals. Mos o he
pa icipan s op ed o Con en Gami ica ion [
6
], as hey changed he usual way o eaching,
using di e en ools o pla o ms o c ea e game-like ac i i ies. Only one pa icipan (P4)
applied S uc u al Gami ica ion [
6
], he simple ype o gami ica ion. He sen a spo s
ques ion o his s uden s e e y week, on an es ablished day and hou .
3.2. Pla o ms and Tools Used
Pa icipan s chose pla o ms and digi al ools om a lis p e iously p esen ed o hem,
such as Educaplay, Edmodo, Blue abbi , Class C a , Habi ica, Kahoo , Quizizz, Plicke s,
Edpuzzle, Playposi , Nea pod, Ac i elyLea n, Class low, Pea Deck, Thinglink, among
o he s. They had o choose pla o ms ha could espond o hei gami ica ion goals.
3.2.1. Educaplay
Educaplay is a pla o m ha allows he p epa a ion o ac i i ies based on di e en
games such as c osswo ds, memo y, ma ching, ill he blanks, unsc amble le e s o wo ds
(Figu e 1). The eache assigns s uden s o a g oup, and hey sol e he ac i i ies.

Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 6 o 13
Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 o 14
applied S uc u al Gami ica ion [6], he simple ype o gami ica ion. He sen a spo s
ques ion o his s uden s e e y week, on an es ablished day and hou .
3.2. Pla o ms and Tools Used
Pa icipan s chose pla o ms and digi al ools om a lis p e iously p esen ed o
hem, such as Educaplay, Edmodo, Blue abbi , Class C a , Habi ica, Kahoo , Quizizz,
Plicke s, Edpuzzle, Playposi , Nea pod, Ac i elyLea n, Class low, Pea Deck, Thinglink,
among o he s. They had o choose pla o ms ha could espond o hei gami ica ion
goals.
3.2.1. Educaplay
Educaplay is a pla o m ha allows he p epa a ion o ac i i ies based on di e en
games such as c osswo ds, memo y, ma ching, ill he blanks, unsc amble le e s o wo ds
(Figu e 1). The eache assigns s uden s o a g oup, and hey sol e he ac i i ies.
Figu e 1. Games on Educaplay.
Fo each ac i i y comple ed, s uden s ecei ed poin s ha we e shown in a leade -
boa d o he ac i i y o on he g oup (CD2). Feedback was equen h ough sounds,
g aphic e ec s, and poin s (CD3). S uden s could imp o e hei poin s on he leade boa d
(CD4). Usually, hey wan ed o be be e han hei classma es (CD5). Teache s could se
ules in hei own ac i i ies, such as limi ing he ime, numbe o a emp s, and p o iding
some ips (CD6). As in all games, s uden s we e a aid o losing, which mo i a ed hem
o each he highes numbe o poin s (CD8). The exis ence o a coun down in all ac i i ies
and sound e ec s ha ale o e o s con ibu ed o ocusing he s uden (CD8).
This pla o m was used by P1, P2, and P5. They used his pla o m in di e en ways
acco ding o hei gami ied ac i i y. P1 used all ea u es o Educaplay. He c ea ed a g oup
o his class and in i ed s uden s o sign up. Then, he p o ided collec ions o ac i i ies as
hey p og essed. S uden s had o pay a en ion du ing hei classes o be able o success-
ully comple e he ac i i ies in he weekly assignmen . Howe e , only a ew s uden s com-
ple ed he asks weekly. Due o his si ua ion, P1 decided o sol e he ac i i ies in class.
When s uden s saw hei ma ks e eshed on he leade boa d, hei en husiasm was ou -
s anding. They we e engaged and comple ed all he asks.
Figu e 1. Games on Educaplay.
Fo each ac i i y comple ed, s uden s ecei ed poin s ha we e shown in a leade boa d
o he ac i i y o on he g oup (CD2). Feedback was equen h ough sounds, g aphic
e ec s, and poin s (CD3). S uden s could imp o e hei poin s on he leade boa d (CD4).
Usually, hey wan ed o be be e han hei classma es (CD5). Teache s could se ules in
hei own ac i i ies, such as limi ing he ime, numbe o a emp s, and p o iding some ips
(CD6). As in all games, s uden s we e a aid o losing, which mo i a ed hem o each he
highes numbe o poin s (CD8). The exis ence o a coun down in all ac i i ies and sound
e ec s ha ale o e o s con ibu ed o ocusing he s uden (CD8).
This pla o m was used by P1, P2, and P5. They used his pla o m in di e en ways
acco ding o hei gami ied ac i i y. P1 used all ea u es o Educaplay. He c ea ed a g oup
o his class and in i ed s uden s o sign up. Then, he p o ided collec ions o ac i i ies as
hey p og essed. S uden s had o pay a en ion du ing hei classes o be able o success ully
comple e he ac i i ies in he weekly assignmen . Howe e , only a ew s uden s comple ed
he asks weekly. Due o his si ua ion, P1 decided o sol e he ac i i ies in class. When
s uden s saw hei ma ks e eshed on he leade boa d, hei en husiasm was ou s anding.
They we e engaged and comple ed all he asks.
P2 equi ed di e en condi ions because he s uden s had special educa ion needs.
One o he limi a ions o he Educaplay ee accoun was he publici y on he pla o m ha
could dis ac he s uden s. To supplan his, he ac i i ies c ea ed we e embedded in a Blog
and, a e wa ds, in he class, s uden s we e in i ed one by one o comple e each ac i i y.
S uden s did no ha e o egis e on Educaplay as hey comple ed he ac i i ies as a gues .
To c ea e compe i ion (CD5) be ween he s uden s, P2 egis e ed he poin s achie ed in an
excel shee and in o med hem a he end o he class.
P5 used Educaplay o c ea e challenges ha she embedded on Blue abbi .
3.2.2. Edmodo
Edmodo is a social pla o m de eloped o educa ion, whe e i is possible o c ea e
g oups o s uden s and deli e asks (CD3) ha can be e alua ed by eache s. This al-
lows social in e ac ion by pos ing in o ma ion, commen ing on pee s’ pos s, o adding
eac ions (CD5). I is possible o classi y he asks comple ed and awa d badges o he
achie emen s (CD4).
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 7 o 13
P4 used Edmodo as a o um space, whe e s uden s could commen on he pos s
deli e ed by he eache (CD5). Each pos was made a ailable on a speci ic day o he week.
Each pos equi ed a co ec answe abou cu iosi y in spo s (CD6). The i s s uden o
answe co ec ly would win ha challenge (CD5).
P3 used Edmodo o disclose all in o ma ion abou he ac i i ies p esen ed o his s uden s.
3.2.3. Blue abbi
Blue abbi is a gami ied pla o m c ea ed o be used in educa ion (Figu e 2). I is
possible o c ea e a class, whe e s uden s can become cha ac e s in a mission (CD1). The
sys em o poin s and p og ess is al eady de ined (CD2). I is possible o c ea e a s o y elling
whe e s uden s comple e di e en ques s, missions, o side-ques s o achie e he aims
o he na a i e (CD3). I is possible o gi e s uden s badges and ewa ds ha hey can
exchange a e wa ds o some help (CD4). I is possible o g oup s uden s in p ojec ques s
whe e hey can collabo a e (CD5). The ques , missions, and side-ques s can be blocked
o only be accessed a e some condi ions a e sa is ied, such as achie ing a speci ic le el,
ha ing coins o pay he en y, o comple ing a ask o inc ease poin s (CD6). By blocking
access o new ques s, Blue abbi enhances he cu iosi y o ind wha he nex s ep is o wha
happens in he s o y (CD7). Finally, no s uden likes o lose, so hey y o comple e e e y
ask (CD8). In Blue abbi , i is also possible o gi e nega i e icke s ha make s uden s lose
poin s i some hing w ong is de ec ed (CD8), such as chea ing o ailu e o comply wi h
any o he ule de ined in he class oom.
Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 o 14
Figu e 2. Blue abbi ac i i y c ea ed by P5.
P5 used mos o he ea u es o Blue abbi . Each s uden assumed he ole o a jou -
nalis ha epo ed ac s o WWII. The mission was o in o m all people abou wha was
happening in Eu ope. P5 used ideos a ailable on YouTube om hose imes, newspape
news, and biog aphies. Some ques s had ac i i ies buil in Educaplay.
3.2.4. Tools Used
P3 used se e al ools besides he Edmodo pla o m. Fi e asks we e assigned o s u-
den s. The na a i e was a ailable in Edmodo, wi h he aim o he mission, he ole o he
s uden s (CD1), and he asks (CD6). Fo he i s ask, a easu e hun was c ea ed using
he app Hun zz (CD1, CD2, CD3, and CD7). Each ac i i y was pe o med, and he coins
ecei ed we e egis e ed in Flippi y P og ess Indica o (CD2). Those coins we e needed
o buy he buildings o he a chi ec u e econs uc ion p ojec o Lisbon (CD4). Fo
achie ing his, hey used he d awing ool a ailable on he in e ac i e boa d.
3.3. Co e D i es Applied
Th ough he Oc alysis ool, i is possible o ep esen he Co e D i es achie ed in he
ac i i y and he in ensi y o i in a g aph. The in ensi y is ep esen ed by he ex ension o
he Co e D i e e ex.
P1 and P2 bo h used Educaplay, bu he g aphic ep esen a ion is di e en (Figu e
3a,b).
Figu e 2. Blue abbi ac i i y c ea ed by P5.
P5 used mos o he ea u es o Blue abbi . Each s uden assumed he ole o a
jou nalis ha epo ed ac s o WWII. The mission was o in o m all people abou wha was
happening in Eu ope. P5 used ideos a ailable on YouTube om hose imes, newspape
news, and biog aphies. Some ques s had ac i i ies buil in Educaplay.
3.2.4. Tools Used
P3 used se e al ools besides he Edmodo pla o m. Fi e asks we e assigned o
s uden s. The na a i e was a ailable in Edmodo, wi h he aim o he mission, he ole o
he s uden s (CD1), and he asks (CD6). Fo he i s ask, a easu e hun was c ea ed using
he app Hun zz (CD1, CD2, CD3, and CD7). Each ac i i y was pe o med, and he coins
ecei ed we e egis e ed in Flippi y P og ess Indica o (CD2). Those coins we e needed o
buy he buildings o he a chi ec u e econs uc ion p ojec o Lisbon (CD4). Fo achie ing
his, hey used he d awing ool a ailable on he in e ac i e boa d.
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 8 o 13
3.3. Co e D i es Applied
Th ough he Oc alysis ool, i is possible o ep esen he Co e D i es achie ed in he
ac i i y and he in ensi y o i in a g aph. The in ensi y is ep esen ed by he ex ension o
he Co e D i e e ex.
P1 and P2 bo h used Educaplay, bu he g aphic ep esen a ion is di e en (
Figu e 3a,b
).
Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 o 14
(a) (b)
Figu e 3. Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o (a) Gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P1; (b) Gami-
ica ion ac i i y applied by P2.
As explained abo e, P1 used all he ea u es o Educaplay, and P2 embedded he
game c ea ed on Educaplay in a Blog. This choice elimina ed mos o he publici y o Ed-
ucaplay and did no o e any unc ionali y ha allowed s uden s o achie e CD 4 (Own-
e ship and Possession) and CD 5 (Social In luence and Rela edness). I was in ended o educe
possible s uden s’ dis ac ions, as hey we e o special educa ion. E en wi h di e en
unc ionali ies a ailable on Educaplay, P1 and P2 achie ed hei aims.
On he o he hand, P3 and P5 we e his o y eache s, and hey decided o use di e en
ools and di e en app oaches. Howe e , hey bo h ligh up all Co e D i es in hei e-
spec i e g aphics (Figu e 4a,b).
(a) (b)
Figu e 4. Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o (a) Gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P3; (b) Gami-
ica ion ac i i y applied by P5.
I is he Figu e o P3 ha has mo e in ensi y in all Co e D i es due o he mo e com-
plex ac i i ies and he mys e y in oduced h ough he s o y elling. On he o he hand, P5
used Blue abbi and Educaplay and s ill applied all Co e D i es. The use o s o y elling
ga e con ex , and he ac i i ies sequence allowed he achie emen o CD1 (Epic Meaning
and Calling) and enabled he cu iosi y o achie e CD7 (Unp edic abili y and Cu iosi y). Fo
P5, he s o y elling o na a i e was a sugges ion o Blue abbi , whe e i is possible o
Figu e 3.
Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o (
a
) Gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P1; (
b
) Gami i-
ca ion ac i i y applied by P2.
As explained abo e, P1 used all he ea u es o Educaplay, and P2 embedded he game
c ea ed on Educaplay in a Blog. This choice elimina ed mos o he publici y o Educaplay
and did no o e any unc ionali y ha allowed s uden s o achie e CD 4 (Owne ship and
Possession) and CD 5 (Social In luence and Rela edness). I was in ended o educe possible
s uden s’ dis ac ions, as hey we e o special educa ion. E en wi h di e en unc ionali ies
a ailable on Educaplay, P1 and P2 achie ed hei aims.
On he o he hand, P3 and P5 we e his o y eache s, and hey decided o use di e en
ools and di e en app oaches. Howe e , hey bo h ligh up all Co e D i es in hei
espec i e g aphics (Figu e 4a,b).
Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 o 14
(a) (b)
Figu e 3. Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o (a) Gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P1; (b) Gami-
ica ion ac i i y applied by P2.
As explained abo e, P1 used all he ea u es o Educaplay, and P2 embedded he
game c ea ed on Educaplay in a Blog. This choice elimina ed mos o he publici y o Ed-
ucaplay and did no o e any unc ionali y ha allowed s uden s o achie e CD 4 (Own-
e ship and Possession) and CD 5 (Social In luence and Rela edness). I was in ended o educe
possible s uden s’ dis ac ions, as hey we e o special educa ion. E en wi h di e en
unc ionali ies a ailable on Educaplay, P1 and P2 achie ed hei aims.
On he o he hand, P3 and P5 we e his o y eache s, and hey decided o use di e en
ools and di e en app oaches. Howe e , hey bo h ligh up all Co e D i es in hei e-
spec i e g aphics (Figu e 4a,b).
(a) (b)
Figu e 4. Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o (a) Gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P3; (b) Gami-
ica ion ac i i y applied by P5.
I is he Figu e o P3 ha has mo e in ensi y in all Co e D i es due o he mo e com-
plex ac i i ies and he mys e y in oduced h ough he s o y elling. On he o he hand, P5
used Blue abbi and Educaplay and s ill applied all Co e D i es. The use o s o y elling
ga e con ex , and he ac i i ies sequence allowed he achie emen o CD1 (Epic Meaning
and Calling) and enabled he cu iosi y o achie e CD7 (Unp edic abili y and Cu iosi y). Fo
P5, he s o y elling o na a i e was a sugges ion o Blue abbi , whe e i is possible o
Figu e 4.
Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o (
a
) Gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P3; (
b
) Gami i-
ca ion ac i i y applied by P5.
Educ. Sci. 2022,12, 191 9 o 13
I is he Figu e o P3 ha has mo e in ensi y in all Co e D i es due o he mo e complex
ac i i ies and he mys e y in oduced h ough he s o y elling. On he o he hand, P5 used
Blue abbi and Educaplay and s ill applied all Co e D i es. The use o s o y elling ga e
con ex , and he ac i i ies sequence allowed he achie emen o CD1 (Epic Meaning and
Calling) and enabled he cu iosi y o achie e CD7 (Unp edic abili y and Cu iosi y). Fo P5,
he s o y elling o na a i e was a sugges ion o Blue abbi , whe e i is possible o de ine
he ole gi en o s uden s. P5 had some di icul y comple ing he na a i e because, in he
beginning, he ques s we e e y simila o school assignmen s. This had o be wo ked on
du ing aining. Being a pa icipan wi h no game expe ience, p epa ing mo e game-like
ac i i ies was a challenge o he .
P4 only applied wo o he Co e D i es (Figu e 5), as he only deli e ed a weekly
challenge wi hou a ewa d sys em. I was no a complex ac i i y bu achie ed he aim he
de ined. His s uden s who comple ed he challenges showed mo e in e es in a di e si y o
spo s. One di icul y was iden i ied: no all s uden s pa icipa ed in he ac i i y because
hey had o do i in hei ee ime.
Educ. Sci. 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 o 14
de ine he ole gi en o s uden s. P5 had some di icul y comple ing he na a i e because,
in he beginning, he ques s we e e y simila o school assignmen s. This had o be
wo ked on du ing aining. Being a pa icipan wi h no game expe ience, p epa ing mo e
game-like ac i i ies was a challenge o he .
P4 only applied wo o he Co e D i es (Figu e 5), as he only deli e ed a weekly
challenge wi hou a ewa d sys em. I was no a complex ac i i y bu achie ed he aim he
de ined. His s uden s who comple ed he challenges showed mo e in e es in a di e si y
o spo s. One di icul y was iden i ied: no all s uden s pa icipa ed in he ac i i y because
hey had o do i in hei ee ime.
Figu e 5. Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P4.
Looking a all Oc alysis’ ep esen a ions o he ac i i ies, mos o he pa icipan s ap-
plied Le B ain Co e D i e (CD6—Sca ci y and Impa ience is p esen in all ac i i ies, wi h
medium in ensi y) and he posi i e emo ions (CD2—De elopmen and Accomplishmen is
p esen in ou o he ep esen a ions, wi h g ea in ensi y).
3.4. Implemen ing Gami ica ion in he Class oom
Se e al echnical p oblems we e epo ed du ing he implemen a ion o he gami ied
ac i i ies in school. Pa icula ly, he lack o equipmen o he poo in e ne quali y. This
was a sou ce o us a ion o s uden s, no being able o log in o he ool o losing access
du ing he ac i i y.
Pa icipan s we e su p ised wi h s uden s’ di icul ies logging in and hei lack o
knowledge on how o use he pla o ms. As hey epo ed, hey we e no expec ing o
ha e o suppo s uden s wi h echnical explana ions and o ha e o spend a lo o ime
wi h i . As pa icipan s commen ed, hey we e expec ing ha s uden s 12 o 15 yea s old
would easily unde s and how o use he pla o ms.
Some o he ac i i ies we e planned o be done a home [P1, P4, and P5] a e classes,
due o he lack o compu e s in he class oom. Howe e , disappoin ingly, only wo o
h ee s uden s comple ed he homewo k. Fo his eason, bo h P1 and P5 had o imple-
men he ac i i ies in he compu e Lab. The compe i ion in he class oom ga e s uden s
he mo i a ion o comple e he asks. P5 w o e in he epo : “I epo ed he sco e o each
s uden (some we e qui e sa is ied, o he s no so much!). I no iced an e o by s uden s
who go “ze o”. They quickly ied o ca y ou he ac i i y and mo e o a mo e p ominen
place. An en i onmen o some compe i ion was c ea ed, which was qui e in e es ing.”
4. Discussion
Figu e 5. Oc alysis F amewo k ep esen a ion o gami ica ion ac i i y applied by P4.
Looking a all Oc alysis’ ep esen a ions o he ac i i ies, mos o he pa icipan s
applied Le B ain Co e D i e (CD6—Sca ci y and Impa ience is p esen in all ac i i ies, wi h
medium in ensi y) and he posi i e emo ions (CD2—De elopmen and Accomplishmen is
p esen in ou o he ep esen a ions, wi h g ea in ensi y).
3.4. Implemen ing Gami ica ion in he Class oom
Se e al echnical p oblems we e epo ed du ing he implemen a ion o he gami ied
ac i i ies in school. Pa icula ly, he lack o equipmen o he poo in e ne quali y. This
was a sou ce o us a ion o s uden s, no being able o log in o he ool o losing access
du ing he ac i i y.
Pa icipan s we e su p ised wi h s uden s’ di icul ies logging in and hei lack o
knowledge on how o use he pla o ms. As hey epo ed, hey we e no expec ing o ha e
o suppo s uden s wi h echnical explana ions and o ha e o spend a lo o ime wi h i .
As pa icipan s commen ed, hey we e expec ing ha s uden s 12 o 15 yea s old would
easily unde s and how o use he pla o ms.
Some o he ac i i ies we e planned o be done a home [P1, P4, and P5] a e classes,
due o he lack o compu e s in he class oom. Howe e , disappoin ingly, only wo o h ee
s uden s comple ed he homewo k. Fo his eason, bo h P1 and P5 had o implemen
he ac i i ies in he compu e Lab. The compe i ion in he class oom ga e s uden s he
mo i a ion o comple e he asks. P5 w o e in he epo : “I epo ed he sco e o each
s uden (some we e qui e sa is ied, o he s no so much!). I no iced an e o by s uden s