Gamification for the Development of Logical-Mathematical Reasoning in Basic Education Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56200/mentor.v5i15.13602Keywords:
gamification, reasoning, mathematics, teachersAbstract
Gamification was analyzed as a teaching strategy to support the development of logical-mathematical reasoning in Basic Education students. The objective was to understand Mathematics teachers’ perceptions and experiences regarding its use in processes of analysis, problem solving, and decision making. A qualitative study with a descriptive-interpretive scope was conducted with 45 teachers from Elementary, Middle, and Upper Basic Education in educational institutions in the city of Quito. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and examined using thematic analysis. It was found that gamification enhanced motivation, participation, and willingness to solve problems, especially when activities incorporated challenges, feedback, and progressive levels of difficulty. Limitations related to planning time, access to digital resources, and the use of reward-centered dynamics were also identified. The discussion showed that its contribution depended on pedagogical design and teacher mediation. It was concluded that gamification could contribute to logical-mathematical reasoning when it was integrated with problem solving, argumentation, and feedback, rather than relying solely on reward mechanisms.
Downloads
References
Andrini, V. S., Hidayati, U., Etika, E. D., Yusuf, I., & Ulfa, S. (2026). Why AI-based adaptive learning outperforms game-based strategies in the development of mathematical reasoning. Frontiers in Education, 11, 1812582. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1812582
Bai, S., Hew, K. F., & Huang, B. (2020). Does gamification improve student learning outcome? Evidence from a meta-analysis and synthesis of qualitative data in educational contexts. Educational Research Review, 30, 100322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100322
Banerjee, R., & Stacey, K. (2025). Mathematical reasoning in elementary grade classrooms in India: What is there and what is missing? Educational Studies in Mathematics, 118(1), 5–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-024-10362-0
Creswell, J., & Creswell, D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Holguin García, F. Y., Holguin Rangel, E. G., & Garcia Mera, N. A. (2020). Gamificación en la enseñanza de las matemáticas: Una revisión sistemática. Telos, 22(1), 62–75. https://doi.org/10.36390/telos221.05
Jeannotte, D., & Kieran, C. (2017). A conceptual model of mathematical reasoning for school mathematics. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 96(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-017-9761-8
Kenelma Otomie, L. B., Ruth Narcisa, V. Q., Jefferson David, E. T., Carlos Daniel, L. T., & Marlene Vielka, C. R. (2024). Percepciones y Prácticas Docentes sobre la Integración de la Gamificación en la Enseñanza de Matemáticas en Educación General Básica. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar, 8(1), 11152–11184. https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v8i1.11779
Leitão, R., Maguire, M., Turner, S., & Guimarães, L. (2022). A systematic evaluation of game elements effects on students’ motivation. Education and Information Technologies, 27(1), 1081–1103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10651-8
López, P., Rodrigues-Silva, J., & Alsina, Á. (2021). Brazilian and Spanish Mathematics Teachers’ Predispositions towards Gamification in STEAM Education. Education Sciences, 11(10), 618. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11100618
Moreno-Rus, A., Ventura, M., Ventura-Campos, N., Stefanescu, D. G., & Falomir, Z. (2026). A gamified interactive educational tool to support algebraic thinking: Reducing reversal errors in comparative word problem solving. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 15(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44322-026-00066-z
OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 Assessment and Analytical Framework. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/dfe0bf9c-en
Palacios-Hidalgo, F. J., & Cimas, J. G. (2024). Percepciones del profesorado de matemáticas sobre la gamificación: Conocimiento, formación y utilidad. Bolema: Boletim de Educação Matemática, 38, e230080. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-4415v38a230080
Pan, Z., Li, S., Zheng, J., & Biegley, L. T. (2026). Impacts of different gamified problem-solving integration approaches on elementary math: An engagement and metacognitive knowledge perspective. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 58(2), 422–449. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2024.2437740
Prieto-Andreu, J. M., Gómez-Escalonilla-Torrijos, J. D., & Said-Hung, E. (2022). Gamificación, motivación y rendimiento en educación: Una revisión sistemática. Revista Electrónica Educare, 26(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.26-1.14
Ratinho, E., Figueiredo, M., Estêvão, D., Faísca, L., & Martins, C. (2026). Gamification on Mathematics Engagement and Motivation in Secondary School and Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 38(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10108-1
Romero-Rodríguez, J.-M., Martínez-Menéndez, A., Alonso-García, S., & Victoria-Maldonado, J.-J. (2024). The reality of the gamification methodology in Primary Education: A systematic review. International Journal of Educational Research, 128, 102481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102481
Romero-Solano, F. E., Quevedo-Rojas, X. D. C., & Figueroa-Corrales, E. (2023). La gamificación como estrategia para desarrollar el pensamiento lógico en la resolución de problemas matemáticos. MQRInvestigar, 7(4), 169–187. https://doi.org/10.56048/MQR20225.7.4.2023.169-187
Sailer, M., & Homner, L. (2020). The Gamification of Learning: A Meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 32(1), 77–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09498-w
Senneset, M. K., Sumpter, L., & Pettersen, A. (2026). A systematic review of mathematical reasoning: Process, product, or anything between? Frontiers in Education, 11, 1802943. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1802943
Tah Jutin, N., & Binti Maat, S. M. (2024). The Effectiveness of Gamification in Teaching and Learning Mathematics: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(1), Pages 1290-1309. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i1/20703
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, 100326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100326
Zeybek, N., & Saygı, E. (2024). Gamification in Education: Why, Where, When, and How?—A Systematic Review. Games and Culture, 19(2), 237–264. https://doi.org/10.1177/15554120231158625
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Pablo Andrés López Puga , Giovanny Leonardo Anatoa Sangoluisa , Maritza Estefanía González Defaz , Karla Cumandá Táez España , Erika Myriam Itas Potosi , Karen Stephanie Silva Coloma

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.






































+593987341121 Email: rjposso@revistamentor.ec