Game On for SDGs: Gamification Levels Joyful & Mindful 21st-Century Learning

Dewi Satria Ahmar; Tri Santoso; Jamaludin Jamaludin; Muhammad Fath Azzajjad

doi:10.35877/454RI.asci4702

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Journal of Applied Science, Engineering, Technology, and Education

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026), Pages 387-399 · 2026-08-31

OriginalPaper | Open access | Published: August 31, 2026

Game On for SDGs: Gamification Levels Joyful & Mindful 21st-Century Learning

Dewi Satria Ahmar , Tri Santoso, Jamaludin, Muhammad Fath Azzajjad

Journal of Applied Science, Engineering, Technology, and Education, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026), pp. 387-399 https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.asci4702 Published: 2026-08-31

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Abstract

This research examines the maturity level of gamification in promoting joyful and mindful learning among 418 senior high school students in Palu, Central Sulawesi, utilising the G.E.A.R. framework and its connection to SDG 4 (Quality Education). Utilising a descriptive-comparative survey strategy, the study indicates that all schools are situated at Level 3.0 (Engaged Integrators), achieving only 64–67% of the optimal score. Urban schools had somewhat higher perception means than rural schools (M = 76.21 vs. 74.03), and the differences between the two types of schools were statistically significant (F(4,413) = 7.14, p < .001). Collaboration and reflection were the strongest aspects, while competition and autonomy were the worst, especially in rural areas. The results show that there is still a plateau at middle maturity and differences between urban and rural areas, but they also show that there are pockets of resilience in rural schools. This study presents a localised urban-rural gamification model for developing contexts and advocates for specific “breakout strategies” emphasising autonomy, equitable competition, and infrastructure fairness to advance practices to Level 4.0 and expedite the attainment of inclusive Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Keywords

Gamification Joyful Learning Mindful Learning SDG 4 Urban-Rural Disparity

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How to Cite

Ahmar, D. S., Santoso, T., Jamaludin, J., & Azzajjad, M. F. (2026). Game On for SDGs: Gamification Levels Joyful & Mindful 21st-Century Learning. Journal of Applied Science, Engineering, Technology, and Education, 8(2), 387–399. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.asci4702