A Meta-Synthesis Review of Gamification Research in Mobile Learning Environments

Erdem Soylu; Ahmet Murat Uzun

doi:10.46778/goputeb.1601556

EN TR

A Meta-Synthesis Review of Gamification Research in Mobile Learning Environments

Abstract

While mobile devices offer many benefits for learning, they can also have negative effects on focus and distraction. To support motivation and sustain interest, a gamification approach to mobile learning can be utilized, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. Previous meta-analyses have highlighted the effects of gamification on learning outcomes. Additional research is necessary to understand its impact, which will help to fully identify its affordances for mobile learning. This study investigates the effects of gamification elements in mobile learning on learner engagement, motivation, outcomes, interaction, academic achievement, and attitudes, and identifies key factors for their effective implementation. A meta-synthesis of 15 theses and 19 articles published between 2010 and 2023 was conducted. Theses were researched via the Turkish Council of Higher Education Thesis Center and ProQuest database, while articles were sourced from the Web of Science and Google Scholar. The findings indicate a notable increase in studies on gamification during 2018–2019. The importance of gamification technologies, especially gamified learning management systems, was highlighted in the studies reviewed. Overall, gamification adoption showed a positive and statistically significant effect on most examined variables in mobile learning. According to the research findings, some suggestions were made for educators, gamification designers, and academicians.

Keywords

Gamification , Mobile Learning , Meta-Synthesis

Mobil Öğrenme Ortamlarında Oyunlaştırma Araştırmaları: Bir Meta-Sentez Derlemesi

Öz

Mobil cihazlar öğrenme için birçok fayda sunmakla birlikte odaklanma ve dikkat üzerinde olumsuz etkilere de neden olabilmektedir. Son yıllarda giderek popüler hale gelen mobil öğrenmede oyunlaştırma yaklaşımı, öğrencilerin motivasyonunu desteklemek ve ilgisini sürdürülebilir kılmak için kullanılabilir. Konuyla ilgili geçmişte yapılan meta-analiz çalışmaları, oyunlaştırmanın öğrenme çıktıları üzerindeki etkilerini ortaya koymuştur. Öte yandan, oyunlaştırmanın mobil öğrenme üzerindeki etkilerini tam olarak anlamak ve sunduğu olanakları belirlemek için daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç vardır. Bu çalışma, mobil öğrenmede oyunlaştırma unsurlarının öğrencilerin katılımı, motivasyonu, akademik başarısı, etkileşimi ve tutumları üzerindeki etkilerini incelemekte ve bu unsurların etkili biçimde nasıl uygulanabileceğini belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında, 2010–2023 yılları arasında yayımlanan 15 tez ve 19 makale meta-sentez yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Tezler Yükseköğretim Kurulu Ulusal Tez Merkezi (YÖKTEZ) ve ProQuest veri tabanından, makaleler ise Web of Science ve Google Scholar veri tabanlarından elde edilmiştir. Bulgular, 2018–2019 yıllarında oyunlaştırma konulu araştırmalarda belirgin bir artış olduğunu göstermektedir. İncelenen çalışmalarda, özellikle oyunlaştırılmış öğrenme yönetim sistemlerinin öneminin vurgulandığı görülmüştür. Genel olarak, oyunlaştırmanın mobil öğrenmede incelenen değişkenlerin çoğu üzerinde olumlu ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir etkisi olduğu belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, eğitimciler, oyunlaştırma tasarımcıları ve akademisyenler için çeşitli öneriler sunulmuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Oyunlaştırma , Mobil Öğrenme , Meta-Sentez

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Instructional Technologies

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Erdem Soylu ^*
0000-0001-5065-7666
Türkiye

Ahmet Murat Uzun
0000-0002-1852-8802
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

November 29, 2025

Publication Date

November 29, 2025

Submission Date

December 14, 2024

Acceptance Date

September 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 13 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1601556

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA23PJ83NU

APA

Soylu, E., & Uzun, A. M. (2025). A Meta-Synthesis Review of Gamification Research in Mobile Learning Environments. International Journal of Turkish Education Sciences, 13(3), 2000-2043. https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1601556

A Meta-Synthesis Review of Gamification Research in Mobile Learning Environments

Abstract

Keywords

Mobil Öğrenme Ortamlarında Oyunlaştırma Araştırmaları: Bir Meta-Sentez Derlemesi

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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