Strengthening Motivation in the Mathematical Engineering Teaching Processes – A Proposal from Gamification and Game-Based Learning

Authors

  • Sergio A. Zabala-Vargas Universidad Santo Tomás https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5803-1123
  • Lewis H. García-Mora Universidad Santo Tomás
  • Edgar Arciniegas-Hernandez Universidad Santo Tomás
  • Jerson I Reina-Medrano Universidad Santo Tomás
  • Bárbara de Benito-Crosetti Universitat Illes Balears
  • Antonia Darder-Mésquida

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i06.16163

Keywords:

Collaboration, Game-based learning, gamification, learning strategies, motivation

Abstract


Gamification and game-based learning (GBL) has been widely implemented in educational processes, mainly in elementary education; it has been applied less frequently in university education. The objective was to test the effect of game-mediated teaching strategies on mathematics teaching in first-year engineering students. A quantitative study was done within the framework of a design-based research. Eighty-one (81) students participated in the research, all from the Dif-ferential Calculus course. Twelve (12) didactic units were designed. The instru-ment used was the Synthesized Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (SIMMS), adapted to record the categories of Attention, Relevance, Confidence and Satisfaction (Keller's motivational model). A significant contribution of the pedagogical strategy and the different categories of motivation was verified, whereas the significance between collaboration and motivation was also evident (intervention 2). Finally, the strategy can provide preliminary evidences in reduc-ing dropout. In conclusion, game-based learning can be used to strengthen educa-tional processes in engineering.

Author Biographies

Sergio A. Zabala-Vargas, Universidad Santo Tomás

Sergio Zabala-Vargas has an Electronic Engineering degree. He has a Master's de-gree in project management and a second Master's degree in e-learning. He has been a professor in the Telecommunications Engineering program at the Universidad San-to Tomás-Colombia since 2010 and is currently the leader of the UNITEL research group. He is studying the last year of a Doctorate in educational technology from the University of the Balearic Islands. He is recognized as a Senior Researcher by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation-MINCIENCIAS. His research inter-ests include educational innovation, engineering education, and digital technologies.

Lewis H. García-Mora, Universidad Santo Tomás

Lewis García-Mora is a Psychologist, Specialist in family intervention, Master in education and human development. University professor in topics such as: educa-tional research, quality in education in Colombia and didactics. Currently curricular advisor and leader of the ESPIRAL educational and pedagogical research group of the Santo Tomás University -Bucaramanga

Edgar Arciniegas-Hernandez, Universidad Santo Tomás

Edgar Arciniegas-Hernández has a Master's degree in education and has special-ised in University teaching. Graduate in Mathematics. He has been a professor in the Engineering and Economic Science Divisions at the Universidad Santo Tomás-Colombia for over 11 years and academic coordinator of the Economic Science Division in the areas of Mathematics and Statistics. He currently participates as co-researcher in projects of the GICIBAYA research group.

Jerson I Reina-Medrano, Universidad Santo Tomás

Jerson Reina-Medrano is a full time professor of mathematics and physics at the Universidad Santo Tomás. The author obtained his PhD degree in Physics at Univer-sidad Industrial de Santander. His main research areas are astrophysics and galactic dynamics. Currently, he is interested in topics related to education sciences.

Bárbara de Benito-Crosetti, Universitat Illes Balears

Barbara de Benito Crosetti is a professor of Educational Technology at the Uni-versity of Balearic Islands. She has National and International experience in teaching degree and post-graduate courses and teacher training. Member of the Education Technology Group, since its creation in 1992. Founder member and advisor to the spin-off Zairja. Soluciones en Formación y Gestión del Conocimiento S.L

Antonia Darder-Mésquida

Antonia Darder-Mésquida is a professor of Educational Technology at the Uni-versity of Balearic Islands and research member of the Educational Technology Group. She has experience in teaching degree and post-graduate courses and teacher training.

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Published

2021-03-30

How to Cite

Zabala-Vargas, S. A., García-Mora, L. H., Arciniegas-Hernandez, E., Reina-Medrano, J. I., de Benito-Crosetti, B., & Darder-Mésquida, A. (2021). Strengthening Motivation in the Mathematical Engineering Teaching Processes – A Proposal from Gamification and Game-Based Learning. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(06), pp. 4–19. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i06.16163

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 06 (2021)

Section

Papers