The influence of gamification integration in teaching and learning on student motivation among undergraduate students at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia

Abstract

This study was undertaken to address the issue of declining student motivation in teaching and learning (T&L), which is often associated with conventional and less interactive instructional approaches. The study aimed to examine the influence of gamification integration in T&L on student motivation at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. A quantitative research approach employing a deductive design was adopted. Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to 377 diploma and undergraduate students selected using simple random sampling. The research instrument was adapted from established measures used in previous studies. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to determine the level of gamification integration and its influence on student motivation. The findings revealed a high level of gamification integration, with students responding particularly positively to reward systems, leader boards and immediate feedback mechanisms. Furthermore, the regression analysis demonstrated that gamification integration has a significant positive influence on student motivation. The study highlights the potential of gamified learning environments to enhance student engagement and motivation in higher education. It is recommended that lecturers systematically incorporate gamification elements into teaching activities and align them with clearly defined learning objectives to maximise their effectiveness.