The effect of gamification-based activities on secondary 8th grade students on motivation, self-efficacy and mathematics anxiety

Objective: The main purpose of this research is to examine the effects of gamification-based activities in mathematics lesson on motivation, self efficacy perception and mathematics anxiety of secondary school students. Material and Methods: The participants of the study, in which the pre-test and post-test experimental design was used, were 35 (19 experimental, 16 control group) eighth grade students studying at a public school. The Mathematics Motivation Scale (MME), the Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale (MMSE), the Mathematics Anxiety Inventory (MAS) and the interview questions prepared by the researcher constitute the data collection tools. Before the application, the scales were applied to the students. Results: Gamification-based math activities developed by the researcher were carried out to the students for six weeks. After the activities were completed, the scales were applied again. However, at the end of the application, focus group interviews were held with the students. Quantitative data obtained were analysed with SPSS package program and interview transcripts were analysed with descriptive analysis, one of the qualitative data analysis methods. Conclusion: As a result of the analysis of the data, no significant difference was found between the experimental and control group scores. In addition, it was determined that the students expressed positive opinions about the activities. Keywords: Gamification, Mathematics motivation, Mathematics self-efficacy perception, Mathematics anxiety