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Top1. Introduction
Engagement is the main objective in applying gamification (Kapp, 2012; Huotari & Hamari, 2012; Dixon, 2011). Gamification isn’t about turning the classes into a game; although the gamification technique is not truly an academic methodology, it may improve the performance of students in the learning process (Pozo, 1993; Trilla, 2011; Xu, 2012; Carr, 1998). Gamification is about applying game mechanics to any project, idea or situation (Zimmerman, 2003). In our case, we want to implement some game mechanics to make learning (Prieto, 2008) and instruction more fun (Sheldon, 2011; Hamari, 2014); consequently, this will allow longer retention of the material among the students. To apply game mechanics and achieve a level of fun, we must first follow some rules. In gamification, rewards can be delivered through the creation of leaderboards, badges, and loyalty programs that encourage students to have fun and perform a learning activity as desired by the teacher. The gamification for learning purposes, we think, is not only about badges, rewards and points themselves; it is about measuring qualification and achieving motivation. Students need motivation when learning; they need the feeling of accomplishment and success of striving against a challenge. They need to feel that they have overcome a difficulty, to push them forward to the next level.
In this paper, a mixed-methods study evaluating the motivation, satisfaction and academic performance of degree students is presented. The methodology is both quantitative (through a structured test) and qualitative (using the Bipolar Laddering, BLA (Pifarré, 2007)), and it is based in the use gamification and the use of technology for 3D arts creation for multimedia purposes such videogames or films.
The working hypothesis to be confirmed is whether students who learn 3D with gamification techniques will obtain better academic results because they are more motivated and satisfied than they are under the classic working system. Our secondary objective is to ascertain through a mixed-methods analysis of quantitative and qualitative data the most positive and negative aspects of the experience, with the aim of adapting the implementation method in future iterations and for other subjects. Our final Objective is solve with a new platform all the needs for gamify a subject. This paper includes an overview of academic performance using gamification and visual technology and discusses how this type of technology can improve students’ 3D skills. The main features of quantitative, qualitative, mixed research applied in the educational framework are described in Evaluation section.