A Meta-Synthesis Review of Gamification Research in Mobile Learning Environments

While mobile devices offer many benefits for learning, they can also have negative effects on focus and distraction. To support motivation and sustain interest, a gamification approach to mobile learning can be utilized, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. Previous meta-analyses have highlighted the effects of gamification on learning outcomes. Additional research is necessary to understand its impact, which will help to fully identify its affordances for mobile learning. This study investigates the effects of gamification elements in mobile learning on learner engagement, motivation, outcomes, interaction, academic achievement, and attitudes, and identifies key factors for their effective implementation. A meta-synthesis of 15 theses and 19 articles published between 2010 and 2023 was conducted. Theses were researched via the Turkish Council of Higher Education Thesis Center and ProQuest database, while articles were sourced from the Web of Science and Google Scholar. The findings indicate a notable increase in studies on gamification during 2018–2019. The importance of gamification technologies, especially gamified learning management systems, was highlighted in the studies reviewed. Overall, gamification adoption showed a positive and statistically significant effect on most examined variables in mobile learning. According to the research findings, some suggestions were made for educators, gamification designers, and academicians.