The power of gamification
The power of gamification
The power of gamification
Zilong Pan, Jiayan Zhu, Jennifer Kling
December, 09, 2025
Summary
Elementary mathematics is essential for developing problem-solving skills, yet engaging students remains challenging. This study examined whether the degree of gamification influences math achievement by analyzing school-level data from 60 U.S. elementary schools using the First in Math (FIM) platform in grades three to five. Schools were categorized as high or low users of the platform. Results showed statistically significant higher math performance for high-usage schools in grades three and four, with moderate to large effect sizes. Grade five results were weaker and only marginally significant. Findings suggest gamification is most effective for younger students developing foundational math skills, highlighting the need for grade-specific implementation strategies.
Reference
Pan, Z., Zhu, J., & Kling, J. (2025, December 9). The power of gamification. Phi Delta Kappan. https://kappanonline.org/the-power-of-gamification/