Effects of competition in education: A case study in an e-learningenvironment

This is an electronic version of the paper presented at the IADIS Multi Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems, held in Freiburg on 2010We analyse the effects of competition in education. We identify the benefits and drawbacks of forcing students to compete themselves during their learning process, and investigate a number of features a competitive learning activity should have in order to motivate students, and improve their academic performance. More specifically, by using a simple Web system, we conduct a competition undertaken for a symbolic value, performed in a short period of time, and characterised by all participants feeling like they have a chance to win. Following these principles, empirical results with 77 students show that a balance between competition and cooperation is achieved, and the focus on the learning goals instead of on the competition itself remains