- Gamification,
- Science Education,
- Tertiary Institutions,
- Student Engagement,
- Nigeria
- Curriculum Design ...More
Abstract
This study explored the integration of gamification into science curricula in Nigerian tertiary institutions, focusing on its impact on student engagement, academic performance, and the readiness of educators and students to adopt gamified learning approaches. With the growing demand for innovative, student-centered learning strategies, gamification offers a compelling solution by applying game-based elements—such as points, leaderboards, and rewards—to enhance educational outcomes. Using a quantitative survey research design, data were collected from 100 respondents, including science students and educators across selected institutions. The study addressed two main research questions: (1) How does the integration of gamification influence student engagement and academic performance? and (2) What are the perceptions and readiness of stakeholders toward adopting gamified learning? Results revealed high levels of agreement that gamification increases engagement, improves conceptual understanding, enhances motivation, and positively affects academic outcomes. Additionally, participants expressed favorable perceptions of gamification as a relevant, modern educational tool and showed readiness to embrace it despite some variability in institutional resources. Hypotheses tested using Chi-square analysis confirmed significant relationships between gamification and improved learning outcomes, as well as between positive perceptions and the willingness to adopt gamified approaches. These findings highlight the transformative potential of gamification in science education. The study concludes that gamified curricula can play a critical role in revitalizing science education in Nigeria’s higher education system. It recommends increased institutional investment in digital tools, educator training, curriculum redesign, and policy support to ensure effective implementation. Gamification, when properly designed and supported, offers an engaging, motivating, and effective pathway for improving science learning in tertiary education
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