What is it about?
This study explores how mobile applications and gamification techniques influence learning in health education. It examines differences between male and female students in their use and response to these tools. The findings highlight that while mobile apps improve engagement and performance for all students, males tend to respond more positively to gamified elements, whereas females value usability and emotional connections. The results emphasize the importance of designing educational technologies that address diverse learning preferences to enhance outcomes for everyone.
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Why is it important?
Our work addresses a critical gap in understanding how gender differences impact the use of mobile learning and gamification in health education. Given the growing reliance on technology in education, this study highlights the need to tailor educational tools to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences. By identifying variations in engagement and performance between male and female students, we provide insights that can guide the design of more inclusive and effective educational strategies. This timely research responds to the increasing integration of digital tools in health education, offering practical recommendations to improve learning outcomes and retention.
Perspectives
Writing this article has been both a revealing and enriching experience. As a lecturer and researcher in pharmacology, I have always believed in the potential of digital tools to enhance learning. However, I was genuinely surprised to observe the differences among our students regarding the acceptance and impact of the mobile application we developed. I initially assumed that all students would be equally enthusiastic about this innovation, but the results highlighted significant gender-based variations. This experience has taught me an important lesson: we should never take student responses for granted or assume that a tool will be equally effective for everyone. It also underscores the need to always involve students in evaluating the changes we introduce. By listening to their feedback and carefully analyzing the outcomes, we can refine and improve our strategies to ensure a more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experience.
Dr Manuel Gómez-Guzmán
University of Granada
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Gender‐based differences in gamification and mobile learning, Acta Physiologica, July 2024, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/apha.14206.
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