Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the perception of students regarding the impact of gamification on their learning and academic performance in the "Teaching Workshops" course of the Bachelor's program in Computer Science at the University of Nariño. The study aimed to understand the students' experience and how gamification contributes to their performance, highlighting that its characteristics surpass traditional methodologies focused on repetition and memorization. The research used a mixed-methods approach with a sample of 30 individuals. A workshop was conducted to identify the interests of the students, which facilitated the integration of gamification by emphasizing elements such as objectives, narrative, challenges, characters, badges, and feedback. Positive effects, such as increased motivation, skill development, improved learning, enhanced digital skills, and teamwork, were identified. However, challenges related to time management, resistance to change, and disparities in digital skills also emerged. To assess the students' knowledge, a pretest and posttest were administered on three complex topics: curriculum planning, descriptive education, and extended education. Before the gamification intervention, the average knowledge level was 8%, which increased to 93% after the intervention, showing an 85% improvement. Additionally, the grades of previous year groups (2020-2023) were compared, revealing a 13.2% increase in the 2024 group.