Exploring the effectiveness of gamification beyond traditional mechanics in cultivating Chinese international postgraduate students' sense of belonging in programming courses

Chinese international students often face significant challenges in adapting to programming courses, particularly in developing a sense of belonging, which is crucial for their academic success and integration. This study explores the potential of gamification as a tool to enhance the learning experiences and sense of belonging among these students in fundamental programming modules. Through a design-based research approach, the study identifies the primary challenges these students encounter, both socially and academically, and investigates how tailored gamification strategies can address these issues.

The research progresses from identifying these challenges to testing and refining gamification features, such as points, badges, leaderboards, and collaborative tasks, to determine their effectiveness in enhancing student engagement and belonging. The study focuses on how these gamification elements, when thoughtfully designed and implemented, can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for Chinese international students.

Findings from this study indicate that carefully adapted gamification, tailored to the specific learning contexts and challenges of students, significantly enhances their engagement and sense of belonging. The gamification strategies developed as part of this research have proven effective in fostering inclusive learning environments, particularly for international students navigating new academic landscapes.

This research contributes valuable insights to the field of educational technology, emphasizing the importance of context-specific gamification strategies in addressing the unique learning needs of diverse student populations. The study advocates for the continued refinement of these methods, particularly in programming education, and encourages their application across different academic disciplines and student groups. By highlighting the pivotal role of relevance and context in educational interventions, this research underscores the potential of gamification in fostering a more connected and engaging educational journey for international students.