Design and Effect of Neurosurgical Educational Software Using Gamification on Students' Learning and Motivation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Educational Technology
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Traditional surgical technology education requires innovative methods to engage students.
• Gamification, integrating game design elements into learning, shows promise for enhancing student engagement and knowledge retention.
• Technology-enhanced learning is increasingly aligned with student preferences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of gamification-based educational software on learning and motivation.
• To assess the effectiveness of a gamified learning tool in surgical technology education.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, single-group pre- and post-test design was employed with 40 undergraduate surgical technology students.
• Educational software was developed based on Karl Kapp's principles and the MDA framework.
• Learning was assessed via multiple-choice tests, and motivation was measured using a researcher-developed questionnaire.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in mean learning scores was observed post-intervention (10.43 to 21, p < 0.001).
• Student motivation levels demonstrated a significant positive change.
• The sample consisted of 55% female students with a mean age of 22.30 years.

Conclusions:

• Gamification-based educational software effectively enhances learning outcomes in surgical technology.
• The study demonstrates that gamified learning significantly boosts student motivation in this field.
• This approach offers a valuable tool for modernizing surgical technology education.