ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND
Active nursing student online learning is proven to heighten attention, deeper understanding, critical thinking skills, clinical judgement, and collaborative teamwork skills.
Interactive games and puzzles provide students with the ability to learn from each other, receive immediate non-punitive feedback, and elevate student engagement. Games are motivational, entertaining, and fun (Billings and Halstead, 2023). One major barrier to consider may be the cost and financial investment of the games. (Billings and Halstead, 2023).
Gamification in graduate nursing education demonstrates interactive evidence of student understanding, learning gaps, and increased levels of engagement. Framed by the Experiential Learning Theory, gamification uses a refreshing non-threatening experience to engage with the faculty and fellow classmates.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this presentation is to offer innovative suggestions and solutions to incorporate games in higher education, while identifying free or low-cost resources for the nursing student body at Lewis University.
RESULTS
Faculty witnessed student engagement improved from previous cohorts before gamification. Exam scores increased by 44% from students attending the gaming session. Overall, course attrition improved by 25% semester over semester for three years.
Students reported increased learning and requested games in the online classroom.

Students reported overall engagement of the course.

CONCLUSION
This study suggests gamification may increase engagement at Lewis University. Further studies encouraged.