Levelling Up Learning: A Case Study of Gamifying an Online Digital Literacy Course in Distance Education

Gamification has the potential to enhance learner engagement and learning in distance education. However, there exists a notable gap in the literature regarding a comprehensive gamified framework tailored for assisting lecturers to integrate gamification into their modules. Towards addressing this gap, the present study investigates the design and implementation of a gamified framework to develop a course on African Digital Literacy, based on the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) model, aimed at supporting module developers to effectively gamify modules and courses. The ADDIE model served as the foundational framework for designing a course, emphasising the integration of cultural narratives and game elements such as badges and leaderboards to enhance engagement. The findings underscore the successful integration of game elements and cultural narratives to enhance student engagement and collaboration. Recommendations include the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach in designing gamified online courses to create stimulating and culturally relevant learning environments. Educators, instructional designers, and policymakers seeking to leverage gamification to enrich online learning environments will find guidance in this research, which bridges the gap between traditional learning approaches and culturally immersive, engaging educational experiences.