Análise da Experiência Lúdica dos Usuários em uma Plataforma Gamificada para Programação Competitiva: o oaso overflows

Abstract

Competitive programming is an effective tool for computer science education; however, it presents challenges such as high dropout rates and difficulties in engaging beginner students. To mitigate these barriers, gamification has stood out as a strategy capable of enhancing motivation and learning. In this context, this paper presents the development and evaluation of Overflows, a gamified web platform aimed at training and practice in programming contests. This is an exploratory, applied, and quantitative study, which involved the stages of design, prototyping, technical implementation using modern development technologies, and user experience evaluation. The measurement of the gameful experience was carried out using the GamefulQuest instrument, adapted to the Brazilian context, which evaluates seven dimensions: Accomplishment, Challenge, Competition, Guidance, Immersion, Playfulness, and Social Experience. The platform was applied during the Pre-Programming Contest and the CaisTech Programming Contest, resulting in 18 valid responses for analysis. The results indicated mean scores above five points in all evaluated dimensions, demonstrating an overall positive perception of the experience provided by the platform. The dimensions Challenge (M = 6.188), Accomplishment (M = 6.118), and Competition (M = 6.095) presented the highest mean scores, suggesting that the gamification elements contributed to participants' engagement, motivation, and sense of progress. It is concluded that the Overflows platform proved to be a promising alternative for supporting competitive programming practice, demonstrating the potential of gamification to promote more engaging and meaningful experiences in digital educational contexts.