Understanding how gamified programming environments shape pre-service teachers’ engagement and instructional readiness in Kazakhstan

Davletova A. Myrzanova A. Sabyrgalieva M.
2026 Frontiers Media SA

Frontiers in Education
2026 #11

Introduction: Gamification is increasingly used in education to promote engagement, especially in STEM and digital literacy domains. However, limited research has explored how gamified programming platforms like Code.org support teacher education, particularly in Kazakhstan. Methods: This study applied a mixed-methods approach, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), to examine pre-service teachers’ perceptions of Code.org during a four-week intervention at Bolashak University. Forty participants engaged in structured training and completed surveys and focus groups. Results: Findings show high overall acceptance of Code.org among pre-service teachers, with strong ratings for usability and instructional relevance. While gamified features increased engagement initially, some participants noted declining motivation over time. Key challenges included infrastructure limitations and student readiness. Discussion: The study highlights the importance of pedagogical alignment and sustained support for integrating gamified tools in teacher training. Motivational gains can be maintained by incorporating meaningful learning tasks and adaptive scaffolding. Conclusion: Code.org demonstrates strong potential for teacher preparation in computational thinking and digital literacy, but its successful integration depends on contextual adaptation, professional development, and institutional support. Copyright

Code.org , computational thinking , digital literacy , educational technology , gamification , Kazakhstan , teacher training

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L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University, Oral, Kazakhstan

L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian and Technical University

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026