View in EDS PDF Full Text

Game On: A Bibliometric Analysis of Gamification and Game-Based Learning in Teacher Training and Education

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Game On: A Bibliometric Analysis of Gamification and Game-Based Learning in Teacher Training and Education
Language: English
Authors: Amani Khalaf Hamdan Alghamdi (ORCID 0000-0002-8500-0266), Shakil Ahm (ORCID 0000-0001-5511-0598), Safiqur Rahaman (ORCID 0000-0003-1367-2618)
Source: Contemporary Educational Technology. 2026 18(1):632.
Availability: Contemporary Educational Technology. Faculty of Communication Sciences, Anadolu University, Yunus Emre Campus, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey. e-mail: editor@cedtech.net; Web site: http://www.cedtech.net
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Gamification, Game Based Learning, Educational Research, Learner Engagement, Student Motivation, Skill Development, Educational Trends
ISSN: 1309-517X
Abstract: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was used to discern the impact and trends of gamification and game-based learning (GBL) in teacher training and education. Examining scholarly output from 2005 to 2024 (610 papers, 1,821 authors, and 4,461 citations) revealed key trends, prolific authors, influential publications and venues, and emerging research areas. The study assessed the growth of publications, frequency of keywords, and geographical distribution of research. Results reveal significant growth in gamification and GBL research with a notable increase in 2024, marked by 68 publications (a 3,300% increase from 2005), and a focus on gamification, GBL, motivation, and engagement as keywords. Most research originated from Spain, the USA, and Italy. Four universities generated most (40%) of the scholarship. Two authors stand out with 82 citations each and a remarkable average of 20.50 citations per publication. Francesca Pozzi was the most prolific author with five publications. "Education Sciences" was the most relevant journal with 21 papers. Integrating gamification and GBL into educational practices, supported by appropriate resources and teacher training, enhances learner outcomes and improves student motivation, engagement, and academic performance. However, challenges and barriers exist, especially inadequate teacher training, change resistance, and unclear distinctions between gamification and GBL. The research landscape to date inspires future research about factors conducive to effective and sustained impact of teacher preparation for gamified learning environments.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499521
Database: ERIC
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
    Url: https://content.ebscohost.com/cds/retrieve?content=AQICAHj0k_4E0hTGH8RJwT4gCJyBsGNe_WN95AvKlDbXJGqwxwHo-YCHFXMFzP7BH4ftikmIAAAA4zCB4AYJKoZIhvcNAQcGoIHSMIHPAgEAMIHJBgkqhkiG9w0BBwEwHgYJYIZIAWUDBAEuMBEEDAMbUpW6D-Y6QGT3JQIBEICBmwSiypojCBEKzCu0Q-koZgBX_kev_mBeIqdCUIBxtfqPIGcu4eZ7YTWmZ9qurTV6wDBrqArCQ3SP9YtppnhHI_uC6iUxDtappj0Mm8nOcrK9_IN-zkAEeZRNaJ21ihqF-SEe6z7oR7HZ4epyDd5dfUY-JaWseEZlO0RdAOM47HsMB_61BkfHOZ5BeGhUXSTyukanWQ1zBcjvprWj
Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1499521
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1499521
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Game On: A Bibliometric Analysis of Gamification and Game-Based Learning in Teacher Training and Education
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amani+Khalaf+Hamdan+Alghamdi%22">Amani Khalaf Hamdan Alghamdi</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8500-0266">0000-0002-8500-0266</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shakil+Ahm%22">Shakil Ahm</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5511-0598">0000-0001-5511-0598</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Safiqur+Rahaman%22">Safiqur Rahaman</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1367-2618">0000-0003-1367-2618</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Contemporary+Educational+Technology%22"><i>Contemporary Educational Technology</i></searchLink>. 2026 18(1):632.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Contemporary Educational Technology. Faculty of Communication Sciences, Anadolu University, Yunus Emre Campus, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey. e-mail: editor@cedtech.net; Web site: http://www.cedtech.net
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 20
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gamification%22">Gamification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Game+Based+Learning%22">Game Based Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Motivation%22">Student Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Trends%22">Educational Trends</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1309-517X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was used to discern the impact and trends of gamification and game-based learning (GBL) in teacher training and education. Examining scholarly output from 2005 to 2024 (610 papers, 1,821 authors, and 4,461 citations) revealed key trends, prolific authors, influential publications and venues, and emerging research areas. The study assessed the growth of publications, frequency of keywords, and geographical distribution of research. Results reveal significant growth in gamification and GBL research with a notable increase in 2024, marked by 68 publications (a 3,300% increase from 2005), and a focus on gamification, GBL, motivation, and engagement as keywords. Most research originated from Spain, the USA, and Italy. Four universities generated most (40%) of the scholarship. Two authors stand out with 82 citations each and a remarkable average of 20.50 citations per publication. Francesca Pozzi was the most prolific author with five publications. "Education Sciences" was the most relevant journal with 21 papers. Integrating gamification and GBL into educational practices, supported by appropriate resources and teacher training, enhances learner outcomes and improves student motivation, engagement, and academic performance. However, challenges and barriers exist, especially inadequate teacher training, change resistance, and unclear distinctions between gamification and GBL. The research landscape to date inspires future research about factors conducive to effective and sustained impact of teacher preparation for gamified learning environments.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1499521
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1499521
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 20
        StartPage: 632
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Gamification
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Game Based Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Trends
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Game On: A Bibliometric Analysis of Gamification and Game-Based Learning in Teacher Training and Education
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Amani Khalaf Hamdan Alghamdi
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Shakil Ahm
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Safiqur Rahaman
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 1309-517X
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 18
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Contemporary Educational Technology
              Type: main
ResultId 1