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Enhancing learning gains through gamification and collaborative learning strategies
Blanca Bazán-Perkins1,2, Valeria Andrea Zuñiga1, Andrés Arispe-Oliver3
1Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico City, Mexico.
Frontiers in Medicine
|August 15, 2026
Summary
Gamification and collaborative learning enhance student motivation and academic performance in cellular metabolism studies. This approach, using metabolic maps, led to significant learning gains and increased intrinsic motivation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry Education
- Medical Education
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Cellular metabolism is complex, challenging student comprehension.
- Metabolic maps aid understanding, but engagement can be low.
- Gamification and collaborative learning are effective pedagogical strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate gamification and collaborative learning for metabolic map construction.
- To assess the impact on student engagement and learning gains.
- To determine if this combined approach improves understanding of cellular metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design.
- Convenience sample of medical students at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
- Individual and collaborative metabolic map creation, incorporating gamification.
- Questionnaires assessed normalized learning gains and situational motivation.
Main Results:
- Students found both individual and group maps beneficial, with collaboration deepening pathway analysis.
- Gamification and collaborative learning correlated with improved normalized learning gains.
- Significant increases observed in intrinsic motivation, identified extrinsic regulation, and self-determination index.
Conclusions:
- Gamification and collaborative learning environments boost motivation and learning gains in biochemistry.
- These strategies positively influence intrinsic motivation, extrinsic regulation, and self-determination.
- Further research is needed to establish causality, but findings suggest effectiveness in educational programs.
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