Using 3-D Printed Badges to Improve Student Performance and Reduce Dropout Rates in STEM Higher Education

Students’ perception of excessive difficulty in STEM degrees lowers their motivation and, therefore, affects performance. According to prior research, the use gamification techniques promote engagement, motivation, and fun when learning. Badges, which are a distinction that is given as reward students, well-known tool. This contribution hypothesizes badges, both physical virtual, improves student performance reduces dropout rates. To verify hypothesis, case study involving 99 students enrolled Databases course computer engineering was conducted. The results show usage badges However, negligible differences were found between different kind badges.