Investigating the Impact of Gamification in Interactive Online Tutorials for Low-Code Development
Summary
As reliance on software grows, the demand for software developers continues to outpace supply. Simultaneously, increasingly specialized software requires greater involvement from domain experts without programming knowledge, further complicating the development process. Low-code development (LCD) offers a promising alternative to traditional software development by enabling end-users to develop applications themselves with minimal coding. However, effective use of LCD still requires computational thinking skills and structured training, which is often lacking. While self-guided online learning platforms address this need, they frequently suffer from low motivation and high dropout rates. This study investigates whether gamification can improve engagement, motivation, satisfaction, and learning outcomes in a self-guided learning platform for LCD education. A custom learning platform, Xill4 Academy, was developed, integrating an existing LCD platform with structured learning content and game elements such as experience points, ranks, and badges. A mixed-methods experiment compared learner engagement and performance across gamified and non-gamified versions. Results showed no conclusive impact of gamification, likely due to its subtle implementation, as many participants failed to notice the game elements. Additionally, the platform's inherently interactive and playful design may have positively influenced both groups, reducing contrast in the results. These findings highlight the need for clearer guidance on effective gamification strategies and further research into the role of interactive editors in educational platforms.