Gamification and vocational education: teachers’ opinions on the effectiveness of the technique

Abstract

Gamification refers to the use of game mechanics to engage individuals, achieve goals, learn through challenges, follow rules, receive feedback, obtain measurable results, and elicit emotional responses, all while fostering agency, immersion, and enjoyment. The present study aims to evaluate, from the teachers' perspective, the extent to which this technique contributes to student learning in professional technical education. A descriptive, exploratory, qualitative-quantitative method was employed, based on field research conducted with teachers of technical vocational courses from three educational institutions in the city of Franca, São Paulo. The objective was to investigate teachers’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of this tool. The results indicate that teachers view gamification as an effective strategy for student learning in vocational technical education, highlighting additional benefits such as increased motivation, greater engagement, and improved prospects in the job market.