Utilizing Technology to Efficiently Connect Students: A Critical Qualitative Study of Non-Competitive Gamification and AI Additions to Research Courses

This study qualitatively examined an integrated cross-community approach to augmenting research courses with (a) non-competitive gamification and (b) AI. Unlike other studies, ours was proactive, non-COVID derived, non-competitive, and rooted in a variety of instructional and technology expertise resources. Its three aims were (1) increasing students’ engagement, (2) reducing students’ course-associated stress, and (3) promoting organizational efficiency for both students and the instructor.