The Effects of Gaming on University Student Quiz Performance

• Main Authors: Corinne M Gist, Natalie Andzik, Elle E Smith, Menglin Xu, Nancy A Neef
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Carolina Wilmington 2019-04-01
• Series: Journal of Effective Teaching in Higher Education
• Subjects: Higher education; College instruction; Game-based assessment; student-response system
• Online Access: https://jethe.org/index.php/jethe/article/view/11

The use of competitive games to increase classroom engagement has become common practice among many teachers. However, it is unclear if using games as an assessment tool is a viable way to increase student performance. This study examined the effects of administering quizzes through a game-based system, Kahoot!,versusprivately on an electronic device. The quiz scores of 56 undergraduate students, enrolled in one of two special education courses, were evaluated. A linear regression was used to compare student scores across the two conditions, as well as performance over the course of a 15-week semester. No significant difference in quiz scores was found between the two conditions, and quiz scores in both conditions improved similarly over time. Sixty-eight percent of the students reported preferring to take the quiz privately on an electric device as opposed to on Kahoot!. Limitations and recommendations for practitioners are discussed.