Innovation in Education: Developing and Assessing Gamification in the University of the Philippines Open University Massive Open Online Courses

Abstract

The University of the Philippines Open University has been at the forefront of providing Massive Open Online Courses to address knowledge and skill gaps, aiming to make education accessible and contributing to societal goals. Recognising challenges in student engagement and completion rates within Massive Open Online Courses, the authors conducted a study by incorporating gamification into one of the University of the Philippines Open University's Massive Open Online Courses to assess its impact on these aspects. Gamification involves integrating game elements to motivate and engage users. This study explored the incorporation of Moodle elements such as badges, leaderboards, and progress bars. Using Moodle analytics, the study also tracked student engagement, views, and posts throughout the course, offering valuable insights into the influence of gamification on user behaviour. Furthermore, the study delved into participant feedback gathered through post-evaluation surveys, providing a comprehensive understanding of their experiences with the gamified course design. With a 28.86% completion rate and positive participant reception, the study concluded that gamification can enhance learner motivation, participation, and overall satisfaction. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on innovative educational methods, positioning gamification as a promising avenue for creating interactive and impactful online learning experiences in the Philippines and beyond.