Review Article

A comprehensive bibliometric review of gamified learning in higher education

Olga V. Sergeeva 1 , Ekaterina V. Zvereva 2 , Yuliya P. Kosheleva 3 , Marina R. Zheltukhina 4 * , Alexey I. Prokopyev 5 , Denis A. Dobrokhotov 6
More Detail
1 Kuban State University, Krasnodar, RUSSIA2 Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, RUSSIA3 Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, RUSSIA4 Pyatigorsk State University, Pyatigorsk, RUSSIA5 Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, RUSSIA6 I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, RUSSIA* Corresponding Author
Contemporary Educational Technology, 16(3), July 2024, ep514, https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/14708
Published Online: 11 June 2024, Published: 01 July 2024
OPEN ACCESS   1004 Views   667 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

This article has crafted a detailed bibliometric review of gamified learning in higher education which provides the reader a broad scientific background and an overview of relevant publications and their up-to-date status in this growing domain. The study examines the spread of publications over the time, revealing a development of a dynamic curve from minor to peak in 2021, and then leveled-off of activity in the rest of the years. There is special focus on high-achieving authors and institutions that are praised by the work for their key contributions to the field of gamified learning research. The aspect of global geographical distribution of gamified learning studies in the literature is expounded. While the USA and Turkey rank first in this regard, they also head the discourse. The role of key journals and a citation analysis provide the evidence of the highly reputable and established place the gamified leaning has in higher education. This bibliometric review offers important information about the multifaceted aspects of gamified learning and subsequently may be used by future researchers to dig deeper and contribute to the literature.
Keywords: gamified learning, higher education, bibliometric review

CITATION (APA)

Sergeeva, O. V., Zvereva, E. V., Kosheleva, Y. P., Zheltukhina, M. R., Prokopyev, A. I., & Dobrokhotov, D. A. (2024). A comprehensive bibliometric review of gamified learning in higher education. Contemporary Educational Technology, 16(3), ep514. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/14708

REFERENCES

  1. Abu-Hammad, R. M., & Hamtini, T. (2023). Gamification approach for making online education as effective as In-Person education in learning programming concepts. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 18(07), 28-49. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i07.37175
  2. Alcedo, J. M. G., Espina-Romero, L. C., & Nava-Chirinos, Á. A. (2022). Gamification in the university context: Bibliometric review in Scopus (2012-2022). International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(5), 309-325. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.5.16
  3. Alsawaier, R. S. (2018). The effect of gamification on motivation and engagement. The International Journal of Information and Learning Technology, 35(1), 56-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijilt-02-2017-0009
  4. Cespón, M. T., & Lage, J. M. D. (2022). Gamification, online learning and motivation: A quantitative and qualitative analysis in higher education. Contemporary Educational Technology, 14(4), ep381. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/12297
  5. Chen, M., Chen, Y., Zuo, P., & Hou, H. (2023). Design and evaluation of a remote synchronous gamified mathematics teaching activity that integrates multi-representational scaffolding and a mind tool for gamified learning. Education and Information Technologies, 28(10), 13207-13233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11708-6
  6. Chugh, R., & Turnbull, D. (2023). Gamification in education: A citation network analysis using CitNetExplorer. Contemporary Educational Technology, 15(2), ep405. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/12863
  7. Elshorbagy, S. A., Sherief, N., & Abdelmoez, W. (2022). A framework for utilizing unexplored game elements in designing learning systems. Advances in Computing and Engineering, 2(2), 96. https://doi.org/10.21622/ace.2022.02.2.096
  8. Gupta, A., & Sawhney, S. (2023). The gamification of Indian higher education: Trends, pitfalls and ideas for future. Journal of Engineering Education, 36(4), 32-43. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2023/v36i4/23113
  9. Hidayat, R., Qi, T. Y., Ariffin, P. N. B. T., Hadzri, M. H. B. M., Chin, L. M., Ning, J. L. X., & Nasir, N. (2024). Online game-based learning in mathematics education among Generation Z: A systematic review. International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education, 19(1), em0763. https://doi.org/10.29333/iejme/14024
  10. Hu, Z., & Razlog, R. (2023). Promoting students’ engagement in higher education through game-based learning: A South African case study. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, 11(2), 137-152. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.1277401
  11. Huang, W., Li, X., & Shang, J. (2023). Gamified project-based learning: A systematic review of the research landscape. Sustainability, 15(2), 940. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15020940
  12. Huseinović, L. (2023). The effects of gamification on student motivation and achievement in learning English as a foreign language in higher education. MAP Education and Humanities, 4(1), 10-36. https://doi.org/10.53880/2744-2373.2023.4.10
  13. Irwanto, I., Wahyudiati, D., Saputro, S. D., & Laksana, S. D. (2023). Research trends and applications of gamification in higher education: A bibliometric analysis spanning 2013-2022. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 18(5), 19-41. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v18i05.37021
  14. Kalogiannakis, M., Papadakis, S., & Zourmpakis, A. I. (2021). Gamification in science education. A systematic review of the literature. Education Sciences, 11(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11010022
  15. Kara, N. (2021). A systematic review of the use of serious games in science education. Contemporary Educational Technology, 13(2), ep295. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/9608
  16. Katerzhina, S. F., Sobashko, Y. A., & Zbanov, E. A. (2023). About the experience of using gamification in higher education on the example of teaching mathematical disciplines. Seriâ: Pedagogika, Psihologiâ, Social’naâ Rabota, Ûvenologiâ, Sociokinetika [Series: Pedagogy, Psychology, Social Work, Venology, Sociokinetics], 28(3), 151-157. https://doi.org/10.34216/2073-1426-2022-28-3-151-157
  17. Khaldi, A., Bouzidi, R., & Nader, F. (2023). Gamification of e-learning in higher education: A systematic literature review. Smart Learning Environments, 10, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00227-z
  18. Krath, J., Schürmann, L., & Von Korflesch, H. F. (2021). Revealing the theoretical basis of gamification: A systematic review and analysis of theory in research on gamification, serious games and game-based learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 125, 106963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106963
  19. La Cruz, K. M. L., Noa, S., Turpo-Gebera, O., Montesinos-Valencia, C. C., Bazán-Velásquez, S. M., & Postigo, G. S. P. (2023). Use of gamification in English learning in higher education: A systematic review. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 13(2), 480. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1740
  20. Li, Q., Yin, X., Yin, W., Dong, X., & Li, Q. (2023). Evaluation of gamification techniques in learning abilities for higher school students using FAHP and EDAS methods. Soft Computing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-023-08179-9
  21. Limantara, N., Meyliana, M., Gaol, F. L., & Prabowo, H. (2023). Designing gamified learning management systems for higher education. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(1), 25-32. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.1.1776
  22. Magpusao, J. R. (2024). Gamification and game-based learning in primary education: A bibliometric analysis. Computers and Children, 3(1), em005. https://doi.org/10.29333/cac/14182
  23. Metwally, A. H. S., Nacke, L. E., Chang, M., Wang, Y., & Yousef, A. M. F. (2021). Revealing the hotspots of educational gamification: An umbrella review. International Journal of Educational Research, 109, 101832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101832
  24. Nadi-Ravandi, S., & Batooli, Z. (2022). Gamification in education: A scientometric, content and co-occurrence analysis of systematic review and meta-analysis articles. Education and Information Technologies, 27(7), 10207-10238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11048-x
  25. Naseri, R. N. N., Abas, N. M., & Abdullah, R. N. R. (2023). Intention towards using gamification among students in higher education: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(1), 1275-1282. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v12-i1/16506
  26. Othman, N. a. F., Jaini, A., Ismail, M. B., Zainoddin, A. I., Radzi, S. F. M., & Sundram, V. P. K. (2023). Gamification in online learning: A case study among university students in Malaysia. Asian Journal of University Education/Asian Journal of University Education, 19(2), 282-293. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v19i2.22239
  27. Rueda, M. M., Fernández-Cerero, J., Mena-Guacas, A. F., & Reyes-Rebollo, M. M. (2023). Impact of gamified teaching on university student learning. Education Sciences, 13(5), 470. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13050470
  28. Subhash, S., & Cudney, E. A. (2018). Gamified learning in higher education: A systematic review of the literature. Computers in Human Behavior, 87, 192-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.05.028
  29. Sumer, M., & Aydin, C. H. (2022). Design principles for integrating gamification into distance learning programs in higher education: A mixed method study. International Journal of Serious Games, 9(2), 79-91. https://doi.org/10.17083/ijsg.v9i2.494
  30. Swacha, J. (2022). Topic evolution in the research on educational gamification. Education Sciences, 12(10), 640. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12100640
  31. Thurairasu, V. (2022). Gamification-based learning as the future of language learning: An overview. European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(6), 62-69. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejsocial.2022.2.6.353
  32. Vergara, D., Vallecillo, A. I. G., Fernández-Arias, P., & Antón-Sancho, Á. (2023). Gamification and player profiles in higher education professors. International Journal of Game-based Learning, 13(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijgbl.323449
  33. Vrcelj, A., Hoić-Božić, N., & Dlab, M. H. (2023). Use of gamification in primary and secondary education: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 9(1), 13-27. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.9.1.13
  34. Vylkova, E. (2023). Gamification of the universities educational process. Alma Mater, 4, 37-45. https://doi.org/10.20339/am.04-23.037
  35. Yang, J. (2023). A study on the effects of gamification teaching on the learning performance and interest of English learners in higher education. Contemporary Education and Teaching Research, 4(6). https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewcetr232011470603
  36. Zainuddin, Z. (2023). Integrating ease of use and affordable gamification-based instruction into a remote learning environment. Asia Pacific Education Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-023-09832-6
  37. Zainuddin, Z., Chu, S. K. W., Shujahat, M., & Perera, C. J. (2020). The impact of gamification on learning and instruction: A systematic review of empirical evidence. Educational Research Review, 30, 100326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100326
  38. Zupic, I., & Čater, T. (2015). Bibliometric methods in management and organization. Organizational Research Methods, 18(3), 429-472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428114562629