UTILIZING GAMIFICATION IN ELT CONTEXT: AN EXPLORATION OF STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

This study aims to address the research questions concerning students’ perceptions and the challenges they face in using gamification. It also explores how gamified activities are implemented during classroom learning. The research design employed qualitative descriptive with thematic analysis to seek real information based on students' experiences. The samples were chosen purposely based on students’ activities in the English department at Pohuwato University. The findings revealed that students perceive gamification as a tool to engage and involve them in the learning activities giving feedback and enjoyment that improve their english skills, motivation and self-confidence. While the challenges they faced were overwhelming in accessing the gamification, over-reliance on technology as well as facing difficulties in internet access and also they need more effort to manage and differentiate both games and lessons. Overall students perceive the gamification in ELT context as the tools that involve them in engagement and they need to prepare more readiness to not fully rely on technology learning and be more thoughtful in following the learning instructions.