The Influence of Gamification in Education: Possibilities, Regulation and Concerns

Abstract

In an increasingly digitalized society, it is more common to use new technologies in different dimensions of people’s daily lives. Education is part of the set of fields where there is a need for technology integration and continuous improvement. In that sense, gamification presents itself as a new trend in opposition to traditional methods of teaching. The purpose of this article was to give a brief view of the possibilities, concerns, and legal aspects of gamification in education. To better define the subject and the dimensions resulting from the increasing use and attention aroused by gamification, a qualitative methodology of bibliographic review was conducted. It is necessary to encourage different ways of approaching new teaching methods since traditional forms of teaching are becoming outdated and are beginning to be considered obsolete, less inclusive, and unattractive to students. Many research studies support gamification as a method that demonstrates student engagement and increased commitment and motivation in the classroom. However, when applying and using this technology, there are also aspects to be deliberated concerning the use, collection, storage, and disclosure of user information entrusted to the companies responsible for creating and distributing this technology. There is a need to adapt and understand the legal aspects of this type of use to develop practices, contribute to greater user awareness, and regulate vague or even non-existent directives. This article will contribute to the discussion about a topic that will significantly impact future education worldwide.