One of the challenges of using game-based learning is the potential for distractions and lack of accountability

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the recommendations and future work and stated challenges of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2025 and 2026, spanning 4 journals. Those papers have been cited 6 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Theory-Informed Gamification and Game-Based Learning for Rural Primary Mathematics: A Critical Review of Motivation, Engagement, and Equity (2026) · Journal of Education and Learning Reviews · doi

  With an emphasis on formative assessment and cultural adaptation, practice-related implications highlight the need for teacher professional development to enhance skills in both conventional and gamified game-based methods. Additionally, an equity-focused design must prioritise interventions that work with restricted technology, multigrade classrooms, and local cultural knowledge. Finally, hybrid techniques that combine meaningful non-digital games with low-cost digital tools should be employed to maintain motivation while fostering engagement and conceptual understanding. Research implications include conducting longitudinal studies on gamified and traditional game- based strategies to assess their impact on mathematical identity and engagement, performing comparative research on effective game elements in rural settings, expanding evaluations of non-digital culturally embedded games, and investigating equity and sustainability outcomes tied to technology dependence and access issues. These elements are strongly related to the motivational mechanisms, autonomy, competence, relatedness, and optimal challenge that are outlined in SDT and Flow Theory and that influence students' sustained interest in mathematics. All of these recommendations are intended to direct inclusive activities that promote Sustainable Development Goal 4.

  generalrecommendations
  Keywords: game digital cultural related implications development gamified based equity technology games engagement elements emphasis formative
• Challenges and Development Paths for Teachers’ Assessment Literacy in Game-Based Learning (2026) · Journal of Contemporary Educational Research · doi

  1.1. Conceptual conflict: The dilemma of dual opposition between games and assessment International research consistently indicates that project-based learning (PBL) demands a paradigm shift in teachers’ assessment concepts, transitioning from skill quantification to literacy development. Traditional assessment focuses on standardized measurement of discrete skills such as literacy and mathematics, whereas in PBL contexts, teachers need the ability to assess children’s comprehensive literacy, including cognitive construction, social interaction, and symbolic representation. Studies have found that over half of teachers still employ exit assessments, extracting children from games for individual testing, reflecting an assessment concept that fails to adapt to the essence of PBL, where “learning is a gaming experience.” This conceptual conflict essentially represents a lack of “developmental assessment awareness” among teachers, making it difficult for them to understand the assessment value of implicit learning in games. 367 Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 2026, Volume 10, Issue 4http://ojs.bbwpublisher.com/index.php/JCER Online ISSN: 2208-8474Print ISSN: 2208-84661.2. Practical challenges: Multidimensional findings from international empirical research 1.2.1. Lag and limitations in teachers’ assessment dimensions International research consistently shows that assessment content in game-based learning has shifted from traditional academic skills to multiple dimensions such as cognition, socio-emotional development, and executive functions, yet teachers’ assessment abilities significantly lag behind. In mature game assessments, teachers need to simultaneously focus on children’s symbolic representation abilities, social role coordination, and self-regulation, but over half of teachers still focus solely on the single dimension of “whether game tasks are completed” [1]. From a semiotic theory perspective, this assessment gap essentially represents a lack of semiotic mediation ability. 1.2.2. Dilemmas and contradictions in teachers’ assessment methods International empirical research reveals that PBL imposes special requirements for the contextual sensitivity of assessment methods, but teachers face multiple obstacles in method selection and integration. Traditional standardized tests have extremely low validity in game contexts, while recommended methods such as anecdotal records and video analysis are difficult to implement effectively due to issues such as large data volumes and subjective biases [2]. Although teachers recognize the value of games for students’ social development, they tend to prioritize academic learning assessment, further exacerbating the disconnect between practice and concept. 1.2.3. Application and challenges of teachers’ assessment tools Kindergarten teachers also report challenges in game-based learning, including uncertainty about how to impleme

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: assessment teachers learning game games international based literacy development traditional children social challenges conceptual conflict
• Impact Of Game-Based Activities On Learning Engagement And Learning Outcomes Of Grade 2 Learners (2026) · International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research · doi

  Based on the findings and conclusions given, the following recommendations are hereby given: 1. Different game-based activities be utilized by teachers during instruction in different subject areas. 2. Game-based activities that would foster retention, engagement and motivation be employed by the teachers. 3. Game-based activities be integrated in teaching different subject areas. 4. Game-based activities that are familiar to learners be employed by teachers for more effective and practical application. 5. The proposed enhanced game-based activity of this study be adapted. 6. Studies relative to game-based learning be conducted. The following topics are hereby suggested: a. Utilization of Game-Based Learning in Mathematics b. Effects of Game-Based Learning to Academic Performance of Learners c. Impacts of Game-Based Activities to the Literacy Skills of Primary Grade Learners BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS 1. Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R., and Nacke, L. (2011). “From game design elements to gamefulness: defining" gamification,” in MindTrek 2011, eds A. Lugmayr, H. Franssila, C. Safran, and I. Hammouda (New York: ACM), 9–15. doi: 10.1145/2181037.2181040 2. Huang, W. H-Y., & Soman, D. (2013). A Practictioner's Guide to Gamification of Education. Quezon City Philippines: Lorimar Publishing House 3. Werbach, K., Hunter, D., (2012) For the Win: How Game Thinking Can Revolutionize Your Business. Wharton Digital Press, Philadelphia, PA JOURNALS 1. Adipat, S., Laksana, Busayanon, Asawasowan and Adipat (2021). Engaging Students in the Learning Process with Game-based Learning: The Fundamental Conceptts. International Journal of Technology 2. Amado, C., and Roleda, L., (2019), students engagement in gamified Physics Course, Proceedings on (2)1, TIIKM Publishing in Future Education, 2nd the https://doi.org.1017501/26307413.2019.2019

  generalrecommendations
  Keywords: game based activities learning different teachers learners given following hereby subject areas engagement employed gamification
• Game-Based Learning Enhances Engagement and Comprehension in Undergraduate Architecture and Biology Education (2025) · Education Sciences · cited 6× · doi

  The study notes that one of the challenges of using game-based learning is the potential for distractions and lack of accountability. The study also notes that the small sample size and reliance on self-reported outcomes are limitations of the study. The study identifies the need for broader, longitudinal studies using objective assessments to further validate the impact of game-based learning.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study notes one challenges using game-based learning potential

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