GAMIFICATION AS A STRATEGY FOR INCREASING STUDENT MOTIVATION AND ENGAGEMENT IN MODERN TEACHING

The digital transformation of education has significantly changed contemporary teaching practice, emphasizing the need for: active learning, greater engagement of students and the application of innovative pedagogical approaches. In this context, gamification is increasingly recognized as an important strategy for increasing the motivation and active participation of students in the learning process. The aim of this paper is to analyse the pedagogical potential of gamification in modern teaching, with a special focus on its impact on student motivation and engagement. The paper discusses the concept and basic characteristics of gamification, as well as the differences between gamification, educational games and game-based learning. Special attention is paid to the analysis of gamification elements, such as: points, badges, levels, challenges, prizes and quizzes; as well as their application in a digital educational environment. Also, the influence of gamification on the internal and external motivation of students, active learning, feedback and participation in the teaching process is discussed. In addition to the benefits of gamification, its limitations are also analysed, including overreliance on rewards, the potential for distraction, and the risk of superficial learning. The analysis indicates that gamification can contribute to the creation of a more interactive, motivating and student oriented educational environment, if it is applied in a pedagogically thoughtful and balanced way.