Enhancing the Educational Displacement in Early Semester Engineering Students Through Innovative Gamification: A Case Study at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus León

This study offers an empirical analysis and a gamification framework to enhance the academic experience of early-semester engineering students. Gamification innovatively incorporates game elements into non-game contexts for enhanced learning, but specific research on its impact in engineering education is lacking. Consequently, the study explores how student engagement with gamification impacts academic performance in early engineering semesters, specifically in math, physics, and computing courses. The case study involves 137 first and third-semester engineering students at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus León. A 98% participation rate was achieved with varying degrees of engagement. Results show a 7.3% higher average final grade for more engaged students in gamification activities, indicating increased motivation and improved academic performance. This study emphasizes gamification's positive impact in engineering education, highlighting its potential to improve learning and boost student engagement.