GAMIFICATION STRATEGIES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON ANXIETY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

This study examines how gamification strategies implemented in virtual educational platforms impact academic anxiety levels and student performance in the university environment. Through quantitative research with a correlational approach, 198 undergraduate students from Latin American institutions who participated in courses with different levels of gamification were evaluated. Standardized instruments were used to measure academic anxiety and final grades were obtained as an indicator of performance. The findings reveal that moderate, structured gamification can significantly reduce anxiety and improve academic achievement, especially in students with high levels of self-efficacy. These results provide empirical evidence on the pedagogical and emotional value of gamification in virtual learning contexts.