Abstract
It is vital for nursing students to feel engaged in online courses to be successful in their academics and the future workforce as nurses. Active student engagement is a challenge for nurse educators, and this challenge is increasing significantly in the online learning environment (Ahshan, 2021; Gosak et al., 2021). This presentation aims to provide the viewer with an overview of the innovative scholarship project involving the implementation of gaming in online nursing education to increase student engagement.
According to Cadet (2023), Kahoot! games enhance engagement, interaction, and motivation for the students. Kahoot! games reinforced learning and provided a more engaging learning session (Ramaila, 2024). The game-based learning platform Kahoot! was used as a methodology for implementing a gaming strategy in an online nursing course. A survey was completed by the students, which evaluated the impact of gamification on the student's participation in synchronous or asynchronous learning sessions, self-reported engagement with the course, and overall satisfaction with the course. The survey results demonstrated that integrating the gaming strategy was impactful to the student's level of engagement in the course, and there was an increase in their level of satisfaction with the course.
Supported by the results from Castro et al. (2019), students show high satisfaction and increased interaction with Kahoot! games. The findings of the project demonstrated that the majority of the students were positively impacted by the Kahoot! games with reported increased student engagement and satisfaction with the online nursing course. Gaming positively impacts nursing students and faculty and facilitates a foundation for innovation in nursing practice by incorporating game-based learning into the nursing curriculum. Nurses act as change agents and are leaders for innovation. Educator empowerment is necessary to integrate innovative educational practices to enhance the learning experience.
Notes
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References:
Ahshan, R. (2021). A framework of implementing strategies for active student engagement in remote/online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education Sciences, 11, 483. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11090483
Cadet, M. J. (2023). Application of game-based online learning platform: Kahoot a formative evaluation tool to assess learning. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 18(3), 419-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2023.03.009
Castro, M. J., Lopez, M., Cao, M. J., Fernandez-Castro, M., Garcia, S., Frutos, M., & Jimenez, J. M. (2019). Impact of educational games on academic outcomes of students in the degree in nursing. PLOS ONE, 14(7), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220388
Gosak, L., Fijacko, N., Chabrera, C., Cabrera, E., & Stiglic, G. (2021). Perception of the online learning environment of nursing students in Slovenia: Validation of the DREEM questionnaire. Healthcare, 9(8), 998. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9080998
Ramaila, S. (2024). Harnessing Kahoot! as an educational tool to foster meaningful teaching and learning: A systematic review. African Journal of Teacher Education, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.21083/ajote.v13i2.8017
Sigma Membership
Alpha Beta Iota
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Teaching and Learning Strategies, Virtual Learning, Curriculum Development, Nursing Education, Nursing Students, Student Engagement, Games, Gamification, Educational Games
Recommended Citation
Manfredo, Shannon, "Integrating Gaming in Online Nursing Education to Increase Student Engagement" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 304.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/304
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-09-25
Integrating Gaming in Online Nursing Education to Increase Student Engagement
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
It is vital for nursing students to feel engaged in online courses to be successful in their academics and the future workforce as nurses. Active student engagement is a challenge for nurse educators, and this challenge is increasing significantly in the online learning environment (Ahshan, 2021; Gosak et al., 2021). This presentation aims to provide the viewer with an overview of the innovative scholarship project involving the implementation of gaming in online nursing education to increase student engagement.
According to Cadet (2023), Kahoot! games enhance engagement, interaction, and motivation for the students. Kahoot! games reinforced learning and provided a more engaging learning session (Ramaila, 2024). The game-based learning platform Kahoot! was used as a methodology for implementing a gaming strategy in an online nursing course. A survey was completed by the students, which evaluated the impact of gamification on the student's participation in synchronous or asynchronous learning sessions, self-reported engagement with the course, and overall satisfaction with the course. The survey results demonstrated that integrating the gaming strategy was impactful to the student's level of engagement in the course, and there was an increase in their level of satisfaction with the course.
Supported by the results from Castro et al. (2019), students show high satisfaction and increased interaction with Kahoot! games. The findings of the project demonstrated that the majority of the students were positively impacted by the Kahoot! games with reported increased student engagement and satisfaction with the online nursing course. Gaming positively impacts nursing students and faculty and facilitates a foundation for innovation in nursing practice by incorporating game-based learning into the nursing curriculum. Nurses act as change agents and are leaders for innovation. Educator empowerment is necessary to integrate innovative educational practices to enhance the learning experience.
Description
This presentation demonstrates the development of nursing science and the evidence-based pedagogical strategy of gamification to increase student engagement in online nursing education. Gamification reinforces student learning and provides a more engaging learning session. Collaborative educator empowerment is crucial to integrate educational practices using gamification to increase satisfaction, active learning, and an adaptable learning environment for online nursing students.