Implementation of Gamification from blended learning based on the flex model and efficacy of this program on students: an experiences from Iran, An Quasi-experimentaL Study

Abstract Background: New gamification technology with a detailed understanding of the goals and prospects, and with the help of game elements and techniques, leads to promotion of motivation and participation, and ultimately behavior change. Methods: In this study, with the design of mental illness lessons for undergraduate and executive groups, using flex model, two parts of technical and educational design were used. In the technical section, three parts on dynamics, mechanisms and elements of gaming were considered. Intervention was studied on different groups of medical students including medical, health, and laboratory sciences and its impact on learning and performance was studied using quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results: The results of the students’ prospective about the efficacy of the method showed that the mean scores of most of the items were higher than the average. This implies that students’ attitude towards using gamification was positive. In the other part, the qualitative results of the study were analyzed and the student's analysis of their advantages and disadvantages and their perceptions on the impact of the intervention were examined. Conclusion: Based on the Flex model, mental gamification based on blended learning is effective in shaping the students' satisfaction.