Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning: An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes

Roberto Vallejo-Imbaquingo; Rafael Villacrés; Angel Torres-Toukoumidis

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-98003-9_16

Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning: An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes

Roberto Vallejo-Imbaquingo
, Rafael Villacrés
, Angel Torres-Toukoumidis

Game Lab-UPS Research Group (GAME LAB)

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

In recent years, the integration of Game-Based Learning (GBL), gamification, and mobile learning (m-learning) has gained traction as innovative educational strategies, yet their interrelations remain underexplored. This umbrella review analyzed 18 studies from an initial pool of 60 meta-analyses and systematic reviews, applying the PICO methodology to examine their pedagogical foundations and effectiveness. Findings indicate that m-learning enhances academic performance when combined with methodologies like GBL, Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), and Project-Based Learning (PBL), fostering teamwork, collaboration, and engagement. While gamification increases motivation through game-like elements, GBL offers a structured, immersive learning experience. The results highlight a shift from a superficial gamified system design to a learner-centered approach, emphasizing students’ needs and interactions with mobile technology. The study underscores the necessity of aligning digital learning environments with evidence-based pedagogical frameworks, particularly PBL and GBL, to maximize educational outcomes and engagement.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Learning Technology for Education Challenges - 13th International Workshop, LTEC 2025, Proceedings
Editors	Lorna Uden, Dario Liberona
Publisher	Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages	196-207
Number of pages	12
ISBN (Print)	9783031980022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98003-9_16
State	Published - 2025
Event	13th International Conference on Learning Technology for Education Challenges, LTEC 2025 - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia Duration: 4 Aug 2025 → 7 Aug 2025

Publication series

Name	Communications in Computer and Information Science
Volume	2551 CCIS
ISSN (Print)	1865-0929
ISSN (Electronic)	1865-0937

Conference

Conference	13th International Conference on Learning Technology for Education Challenges, LTEC 2025
Country/Territory	Malaysia
City	Kota Kinabalu
Period	4/08/25 → 7/08/25

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Keywords

Game-based learning
gamification
m-learning
meta-analysis
mobile learning
systematic review

CACES Knowledge Areas

413A Social and Cultural Studies
123A Journalism and Communication

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-98003-9_16

Cite this

Vallejo-Imbaquingo, R., Villacrés, R., & Torres-Toukoumidis, A. (2025). Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning: An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes. In L. Uden, & D. Liberona (Eds.), Learning Technology for Education Challenges - 13th International Workshop, LTEC 2025, Proceedings (pp. 196-207). (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2551 CCIS). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98003-9_16

Vallejo-Imbaquingo, Roberto ; Villacrés, Rafael ; Torres-Toukoumidis, Angel. / Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning : An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes. Learning Technology for Education Challenges - 13th International Workshop, LTEC 2025, Proceedings. editor / Lorna Uden ; Dario Liberona. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025. pp. 196-207 (Communications in Computer and Information Science).

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abstract = "In recent years, the integration of Game-Based Learning (GBL), gamification, and mobile learning (m-learning) has gained traction as innovative educational strategies, yet their interrelations remain underexplored. This umbrella review analyzed 18 studies from an initial pool of 60 meta-analyses and systematic reviews, applying the PICO methodology to examine their pedagogical foundations and effectiveness. Findings indicate that m-learning enhances academic performance when combined with methodologies like GBL, Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), and Project-Based Learning (PBL), fostering teamwork, collaboration, and engagement. While gamification increases motivation through game-like elements, GBL offers a structured, immersive learning experience. The results highlight a shift from a superficial gamified system design to a learner-centered approach, emphasizing students{\textquoteright} needs and interactions with mobile technology. The study underscores the necessity of aligning digital learning environments with evidence-based pedagogical frameworks, particularly PBL and GBL, to maximize educational outcomes and engagement.",

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Vallejo-Imbaquingo, R, Villacrés, R & Torres-Toukoumidis, A 2025, Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning: An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes. in L Uden & D Liberona (eds), Learning Technology for Education Challenges - 13th International Workshop, LTEC 2025, Proceedings. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol. 2551 CCIS, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, pp. 196-207, 13th International Conference on Learning Technology for Education Challenges, LTEC 2025, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 4/08/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98003-9_16

Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning: An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes. / Vallejo-Imbaquingo, Roberto; Villacrés, Rafael; Torres-Toukoumidis, Angel.
Learning Technology for Education Challenges - 13th International Workshop, LTEC 2025, Proceedings. ed. / Lorna Uden; Dario Liberona. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025. p. 196-207 (Communications in Computer and Information Science; Vol. 2551 CCIS).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning

T2 - 13th International Conference on Learning Technology for Education Challenges, LTEC 2025

AU - Vallejo-Imbaquingo, Roberto

AU - Villacrés, Rafael

AU - Torres-Toukoumidis, Angel

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - In recent years, the integration of Game-Based Learning (GBL), gamification, and mobile learning (m-learning) has gained traction as innovative educational strategies, yet their interrelations remain underexplored. This umbrella review analyzed 18 studies from an initial pool of 60 meta-analyses and systematic reviews, applying the PICO methodology to examine their pedagogical foundations and effectiveness. Findings indicate that m-learning enhances academic performance when combined with methodologies like GBL, Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), and Project-Based Learning (PBL), fostering teamwork, collaboration, and engagement. While gamification increases motivation through game-like elements, GBL offers a structured, immersive learning experience. The results highlight a shift from a superficial gamified system design to a learner-centered approach, emphasizing students’ needs and interactions with mobile technology. The study underscores the necessity of aligning digital learning environments with evidence-based pedagogical frameworks, particularly PBL and GBL, to maximize educational outcomes and engagement.

AB - In recent years, the integration of Game-Based Learning (GBL), gamification, and mobile learning (m-learning) has gained traction as innovative educational strategies, yet their interrelations remain underexplored. This umbrella review analyzed 18 studies from an initial pool of 60 meta-analyses and systematic reviews, applying the PICO methodology to examine their pedagogical foundations and effectiveness. Findings indicate that m-learning enhances academic performance when combined with methodologies like GBL, Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), and Project-Based Learning (PBL), fostering teamwork, collaboration, and engagement. While gamification increases motivation through game-like elements, GBL offers a structured, immersive learning experience. The results highlight a shift from a superficial gamified system design to a learner-centered approach, emphasizing students’ needs and interactions with mobile technology. The study underscores the necessity of aligning digital learning environments with evidence-based pedagogical frameworks, particularly PBL and GBL, to maximize educational outcomes and engagement.

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KW - mobile learning

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AN - SCOPUS:105013020730

SN - 9783031980022

T3 - Communications in Computer and Information Science

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A2 - Uden, Lorna

A2 - Liberona, Dario

PB - Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Y2 - 4 August 2025 through 7 August 2025

ER -

Vallejo-Imbaquingo R, Villacrés R, Torres-Toukoumidis A. Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning: An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes. In Uden L, Liberona D, editors, Learning Technology for Education Challenges - 13th International Workshop, LTEC 2025, Proceedings. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. 2025. p. 196-207. (Communications in Computer and Information Science). doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-98003-9_16

Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning: An Umbrella Review on Pedagogical Foundations and Outcomes

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Keywords

CACES Knowledge Areas

Access to Document

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