Abstract:

The need for innovative strategies to boost student motivation in demanding Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects is well-documented. In an effort to enhance student engagement in these courses, this study examines the impact of blockchain–based digital badges on high school students' academic performance and satisfaction in an inorganic chemistry course. Grounded in gamification theory, the intervention aimed to provide visible, verifiable tokens of achievement for completing specific learning modules and mastering complex topics. Digital badges were implemented via the Badgr application in the Learning Management System Canvas platform. The research was conducted at a private high school during the August–December 2023 semester following a quasi-experimental design. Participants included 39 students in the experimental group and 34 in the control group. Data analysis consisted of two parts. A statistical evaluation of academic performance using t-tests on final grades, which showed no significant improvement, and a sentiment analysis using the Valence Aware Dictionary sEntiment Reasoner Artificial Intelligence tool to assess students’ feedback from end-of-semester surveys. The sentiment analysis revealed, with a 95% confidence, that students in the badge group had a significantly more favorable perception of the course compared to the control group. While digital badges did not enhance academic performance, the findings suggest they positively influence student motivation and satisfaction. This discrepancy highlights a key distinction between cognitive and affective learning outcomes. The results support the potential of digital badges not as a tool for direct knowledge acquisition, but as an engaging educational tool for fostering a positive classroom climate and increasing perceived value of the coursework, which may have long-term benefits for STEM retention.

Keywords:

Blockchain-Based Badge Award, Educational Artificial Intelligence, Sentiment Analysis, Educational Innovation.