Abstract

The study aimed to examine the impact of a gamified distance learning system on enhancing digital creativity in distance education. The research involved 36 graduate students from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University enrolled in the Public Administration Innovation course. Over a six-week experimental period, the learning system incorporated gamification elements, including missions, challenges, and collaborative tasks, to promote engagement and skill development. Data collection tools comprised 1) a digital creativity assessment form, 2) an evaluation rubric for learners’ digital innovation projects, and 3) a satisfaction survey regarding the gamified learning system. The data were analyzed using t-test dependent statistics to compare digital creativity scores before and after the intervention, rubric criteria for project quality evaluation, and descriptive statistics for satisfaction levels. Results showed a significant increase in digital creativity, with post-test scores (M = 4.49, SD = 0.21) significantly higher than pre-test scores (M = 3.19, SD = 0.19) at the 0.05 significance level. Rubric-based evaluations indicated that learners’ digital innovation projects were rated between good and very good. Additionally, learners expressed high satisfaction with the gamified system, with an average score of 4.35 (SD = 0.69). This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of gamification in fostering digital creativity, addressing a notable gap in traditional educational methods. The integration of game-based elements within distance education supports increased interaction, motivation, and collaboration among learners. The findings underscore the potential of gamified learning systems as a strategic tool for enhancing essential digital skills and creativity in higher education. The study highlights practical implications for curriculum design and offers innovative approaches to address the challenges of distance learning in the digital age. Further exploration is recommended to optimize gamification designs for diverse educational contexts and learner needs.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.