Online programming learning platform: The influence of gamification elements

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Numerous studies have been conducted to discover educational technologies that could be utilised to enhance students <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">,</sup> understanding of fundamental programming concepts. The advantage that various online programming learning platforms provide, is immediate feedback and automated guidance with the completion of assignments, enhancing student comprehension. Despite the various advantages of online learning environments, the lack of online persistence is viewed as one of the most pervasive disadvantages. Gamification of online learning environments have been proposed as a solution to enhance student engagement, and persistence, but little research has focused on how specific gamification elements influence the persistent use of online programming learning environments. The aim of this study was therefore to fill this gap and to determine what influence various gamification elements have on the persistent use of an online programming learning platform. The population of the study consisted of first year students enrolled at the IT department of the Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Free State Province of South Africa. Data was collected by making use of a survey that was posted on the learner management system of CUT. The results of the study showed that the points and badges that students received as rewards, as well as the badges and avatars that assisted them to express themselves in a unique way, had a very important influence on their engagement and immersion in a gamified programming learning environment. Moreover, the use of a leaderboard to create a competitive environment had no influence on the engagement and immersion of students. The study also showed that higher levels of meaningful engagement and flow experience have a significant influence on keeping students motivated to persistently use a gamified programming learning platform. The practical implication of the findings of the study are that designers and developers of gamified programming learning environments should prioritise designing a comprehensive reward system over the creation of a competitive environment.