Gamification in Educational Contexts: Analysis of Its Application in a Distance Public Accounting Program

Abstract

The scarcity of studies that link the application of educational gamification to its theoretical foundations or principles has led to the failure of gamification in educational contexts. This paper seeks to contribute to solving this shortcomingby connecting the application of the educational gamification carried out in the Distance Public Accounting Program of the Universidad Militar Nueva Granada (Colombia) with the theoretical foundations of the subject. To this end, researchers addressed the differences between gamification and game-based learning, examined the concept, objectives, contributions, and elements of the gamification, and identified the key aspects for a successful implementation in the educational context. Finally, they explained the process of gamification implemented fromthe teacher planning to the analysis of student opinions. For this, the methodology used was an exploratory one supported in documentary analysis and application of surveys to students. As a result of the application, researchers verified that educational gamification promotes autonomy, motivation, commitment, and social interaction in the students, allowing the progression and mastery of the issues covered in each proposed challenge.