Student Perceptions of Gamified and AI-Supported Web Programming Education

This article analyzes student feedback collected after the Web Dev Challenge (WDC), a gamified web programming experience supported by Generative AI (GenAI). Grounded in existing literature on gamification, AI-assisted learning, and prompt-based strategies, the study focuses on how students perceived the effectiveness of this educational model. Responses from the post-competition survey highlight increased engagement, greater motivation, and improved confidence in using GenAI tools. Many participants reported a deeper understanding of prompt engineering and appreciated the integration of game elements as a driver of sustained participation. These insights offer valuable perspectives for educators designing AI-enhanced, gamified learning environments, stressing the importance of aligning technological innovation with learner needs.