Effect of Gamification Teaching Method on Academic Performance in Set Theory Concept among Senior Secondary School Students' in Kebbi Metropolis, Kebbi State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2026340Abstract
This study examined the effect of the gamification teaching method on senior secondary school students’ academic performance in set theory in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine the difference in academic performance between students taught set theory using the gamification method and those taught using the demonstration method, as well as to examine the difference in performance scores of male and female students taught set theory using the gamification method. To address these, a non-randomized control group, pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was used. The sample consisted of 357 SSII students selected from four public secondary schools. Data were collected using the Students’ Set Theory Performance Test (SSTPT) with a reliability of 0.84. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while an independent sample t-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that students taught with gamification performed significantly better than those taught with the demonstration method. Results also indicated no significant difference in the performance of male and female students taught with gamification. The study concludes that gamification is an effective alternative to demonstration method and recommends its use for teaching Set Theory, and further studies can be conducted on other mathematics topics.
References
Akanmu, M. A. (2019). Effects of think-pair-share on senior school students’ performance in mathematics in Ilorin, Nigeria. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences, 15(2), 107-116. DOI: 10.4314/ajesms.v15i2.9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ajesms.v15i2.9
Aliyu, Z., Lawal, H. M., Muhammad Bello, A. D. A. M., & Lamido, A. S. (2025). Gamification strategies and their effects on learning motivation and concept mastery in mathematics and science education. Journal of educational research and development, 20(1), 117-122. Http://journals.abu.edu.ng/index.php/jerd/article/view/868
Arufe Giráldez, V., Sanmiguel-Rodríguez, A., Ramos Álvarez, O., & Navarro-Patón, R. (2022). Can gamification influence the academic performance of students?. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095115 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095115
Asy-Syila, A. (2024). Strategies for Enhancing Student Motivation and Achievement. Mauve Journal De Leardu, 1(1), 9-15. https://scholar.google.com/scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.37899/mjdl.v1i1.6
Attah, J. O., Ogunlade, O. O., & Otemuyiwa, B. I. (2024). Effect of gamification-based teaching on junior secondary school student's academic performance in mathematics in Kwara State. Andragogi: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 4(2), 153-165. Vol 4 (2), DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/adrg.v4i2.1325 E-ISSN 2807-8233 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/adrg.v4i2.1325
Awuah, F. K. (2018). Grade 12 Learner's Problem-Solving Skills in Probability. University of South Africa. Un-published thesis https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/79136187
Bainbridge, K., Shute, V., Rahimi, S., Liu, Z., Slater, S., Baker, R. S., & D'Mello, S. K. (2022). Does embedding learning supports enhance transfer during game-based learning? Learning and Instruction, 77, 101547. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959475221001067 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2021.101547
Bala, N., & ABdulwahab, I. B. (2024). Impact Of Modern Ways Of Teaching And Learning Islamic Sciences On Students’ Achievement In Kebbi State. International Journal of Innovative Development and Policy Studies 12(4):1-10. Web:www.seahipublications.org ISSN: 2467- 8465
Belova, N., & Zowada, C. (2020). Innovating higher education via game-based learning on misconceptions. EducationSciences, 10(9),221. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10090221 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10090221
Fakai, U. R., Sa’adu, A., Argungu, M. A., & Aliyu, A. S. (2024). Collaborative Professional Development: A Catalyst for Science Education Reform in Nigeria. Formosa Journal of Science and Technology, 3(9), 2191-2210. ISSN-E: 2964-6804 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v3i9.11583 https://journal.formosapublisher.org DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v3i9.11583
Ha, T. (2023). Technology Integration in School-Based Physical Activity (Doctoral dissertation, University of Northern Colorado) (2023).Dissertations. 970. https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations/970
Hanus, M. D., & Fox, J. (2015). Assessing the effects of gamification in the classroom: A longitudinal study on intrinsic motivation, social comparison, satisfaction, effort, and academicperformance. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education.161.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.08.01903601315. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2014.08.019
Hrbacek, K., & Jech, T. (2017). Introduction to set theory, revised and expanded. Crc Press. Edition3rd Edition First Published1999 eBook Published18 December 2017 DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1201/9781315274096 Pages310 eBook ISBN9781315274096 SubjectsMathematics & Statistics
Korkealehto, K., & Siklander, P. (2018). Enhancing engagement, enjoyment and learning experiences by gamification on an English course for health care students. In Seminar. net: International Journal on Media, Technology and Lifelong Learning (Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 13-30). Lillehammer UniversityCollege. https://tuhat.helsinki.fi/ws/portalfiles/portal/160578803/2579_Article_Text_9813_1_10_20180628.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.7577/seminar.2579
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Lo, C. K., Hew, K. F., & Chen, G. (2017). Toward a set of design principles for mathematics flipped classrooms: A synthesis of research in mathematics education. Educational Research Review, 22, 50-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.08.002
Makinde, S. O., & Yusuf, M. O. (2017). The Flipped Classroom: Its Effects on Students’ Performance and Retention in Secondary School Mathematics Classroom. International Journal of Innovative Technology Integration in Education, 1(1), 117-126 DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10243
McDonald, C. (2016). STEM Education: A review of the contribution of the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Science Education International, 27(4), 530-569. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/380672
Oden, J. T., & Demkowicz, L. (2017). Applied functional analysis. Chapman and Hall/CRC. Edition3rd Edition First Published2017, eBook Published30 November 2017, DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1201/9781315119489. Pages632 eBook ISBN9781315119489 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315119489
Okotie, W., & Agir, E. (2024). National Policy on Education: The Need to Inculcate Logical/Critical Ability to Enhance Tertiary Education in Nigeria. FUOYE Journal of Public Administration and Management, 2(1). ISSN: 2992 – 4863 Vol.2 No.1, 2024
Okpara, G. C., & ezeador, C. N. (2024). Philosophy of teaching: exploring various teaching methods for improved education in nigeria. Nnadiebube journal of philosophy, 7(3). https://acjol.org/index.php/NJP/article/view/5555
Oladejo, A. I., Olateju, T. T., Okebukola, P. A., Agboluaje, T. M., Sanni, R., Shabani, J., ... & Ebisin, A. (2023). The convergence of culture, technology and context: A pathway to reducing Mathophobia and improving achievement in mathematics. School Science and Mathematics, 123(2), 82-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12573 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12573
Parajuli, M., & Thapa, A. (2017). Gender differences in the academic performance of students. Journal of development and social engineering, 3(1), 39-47. ISSN 2382-5332 © School of Development and Social Engineering, Pokhara University DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/jdse.v3i1.27958
Pawa, S., Laosinchai, P., Nokkaew, A., & Wongkia, W. (2020). Students’ conception of set theory through a board game and an active-learning unit. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 28(1), pp173-195. https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/CAL/article/download/13568/12929 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30722/IJISME.28.01.001
Saidu, S. (2019). CEO characteristics and firm performance: focus on origin, education and ownership. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9(1), 29 pp 224-237.DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-019-0153-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-019-0153-7
Salah, A. R. M. (2025). Set Theory and Its Foundational Role in Modern Mathematics. https://www.researchgate.net/392963670 /links/685a746fe8fa0f5c28261c2e/.pdf
Saleem, A.N., Noori, N.M. & Ozdamli, F. (2022). Gamification Applications in E-learning: A Literature Review. Tech Know Learn 27. Original research Published: 02 January 2021, Volume 27, pages 139–159, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-020-09487-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-020-09487-x
Samala, A. D., Bojić, L., Vergara-Rodríguez, D., Klimova, B., & Ranuharja, F. (2024). Exploring the impact of gamification on 21st-century skills: Insights from DOTA 2. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 17(18), 33-54. DOI: 10.3991/ijim.v17i18.42161 ISSN: 1865-7923 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v17i18.42161
Shankar, P. M. (2021). Sets, Venn Diagrams, Probability, and Bayes’ Rule. In Probability, Random Variables, and Data Analytics with Engineering Applications (pp. 5-76). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://research- /27333114/1/files/50726646.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56259-5_2
Sholihah, f. I. (2024). Innovative Approaches in Mathematics Education: Enhancing Student Uderstanding and Engagement. Berajah journal, 4(5), 1183-1194. ISSN (p): 2797-1805 | ISSN (e): 2797-1082
Smith, N. (2018). Integrating Gamification into Mathematics Instruction: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study on the Perceptions of Teachers at the Fourth and Fifth Grade Level. Online Submission. Un published Dissertation Presented, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctorate of Education William Howard Taft University November 2018.
Szabo, Z. K., Körtesi, P., Guncaga, J., Szabo, D., & Neag, R. (2020). Examples of problem-solving strategies in mathematics education supporting the sustainability of 21st-century skills. Sustainability, 12(23), pp 92-121; doi:10.3390/su122310113 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310113
Thampy, H., Walsh, J. L., & Harris, B. H. (2023). Playing the game: The educational role of gamified peer‐led assessment. The clinical teacher, 20(4), e13594. Received: 17 September 2022 Accepted: 16 May 2023 DOI: 10.1111/tct.13594 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13594
West African Examinations Council (WAEC). (2019). Chief Examiner’s Report: General Mathematics Paper 2 (WASSCE 2nd Series). Retrieved from [https://www.waeconline.org.ng](https://www.waeconline.org.ng)
West African Examinations Council (WAEC). (2020). Chief Examiner’s Report: General Mathematics Paper 2. Retrieved from [https://www.waeconline.org.ng](https://www.waeconline.org.ng)
West African Examinations Council (WAEC). (2021). Chief Examiner’s Report: General Mathematics Paper 2. Retrieved from (https://www.waeconline.org.ng)
Zainuddin, Z., Chu, S. K. W., Shujahat, M., & Perera, C. J. (2020). The impact of gamification on learning and instruction: A systematic review of empirical evidence. Educational research review, 30, pp 232-247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100326



