Gamifying Higher Education for Generation Alpha: Aligning Cognitive Behavioral Needs with Business Value through a Human-Centered Approach

This thesis proposes a human-centered framework for gamification in higher education that aligns cognitive behavioral needs with business value for Generation Alpha, the cohort born after 2010. By analyzing the gaps between current education practices and Generation Alpha's needs, the methodology aims to bridge the divide. The literature review underscores the importance of empathizing with Generation Alpha's cognitive behavioral needs, including socialization and communication skills, creativity and innovation, digital literacy and technology skills, emotional intelligence and resilience, and cultural competency and global awareness. Gamification is posited as a potential strategy for engaging and motivating Generation Alpha in higher education. The benefits of gamification encompass personalization and feedback, collaborative and social learning, real-world application and problem-solving, and experiential and immersive learning. The thesis concludes by emphasizing the importance of gamification in higher education for Generation Alpha and its implications for higher education providers and policymakers.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Sloan School of Management

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Kong, Yvette Man-yi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Shields, Ben R.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
• Copyright retained by author(s)

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/151565

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/151565