Gamification and Emotional Intelligence: Development of a Digital Application for Children

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The research has an interesting topic related to developing and testing gamified digital solution aimed at helping children, parents, and teachers improve emotional intelligence through multimedia-based interactive scenarios. However, there are several areas for improvement:

• The title "Emotional Intelligence for Children: A Digital Application" does not reflect the research, and it could be more specific to fully capture the study's focus through specifying the gamified approach, which is central to the study.
• The "Error! Reference source not found." message appears in the document several times.
• The abstract presents the methodology, but it lacks the research design, sample size, and evaluation criteria.
• The abstract presents the key findings in general way noting that the tool was tested and improved based on feedback, but it does not specify any quantitative or qualitative results.
• The introduction does not explicitly address the research gap stating what is missing in existing research.
• The introduction does not specify the research approach used.
• In line 56, it was stated that “The article follows a conventional structure, with Section 2 presenting the research 56 method, ” and that was not accurate where section 2 presents the related studies. Besides conducting literature review, the study involved developing and testing a digital application with primary school students.
• On page 3, the figure appears to be missing a title or caption. The used language in this figure was not English.
• At the end of the related work section, the author(s) should explicitly highlight why this study is necessary compared to past work. In addition, a comparison of the previous works should be presented.
• In the testing and validation section (line 356), there was a lack of clear testing methodology, the section does not explain how the evaluation was conducted.

 

Author Response

The research has an interesting topic related to developing and testing gamified digital solution aimed at helping children, parents, and teachers improve emotional intelligence through multimedia-based interactive scenarios.

Thank you for your feedback! Thank you for recognizing the relevance of this research. The goal of developing and testing a gamified digital solution to support the emotional intelligence of children, parents and teachers is something we are passionate about. Your ideas motivate us to continue refining and improving our approach to creating an engaging and impactful learning experience.

 

Comments:

The title "Emotional Intelligence for Children: A Digital Application" does not reflect the research, and it could be more specific to fully capture the study's focus through specifying the gamified approach, which is central to the study.

Response:

Changing the title to “Gamification and Emotional Intelligence: Development of a Digital Application for Children” to better fit the content of the research.

 

The "Error! Reference source not found." message appears in the document several times.

Response:

All figure errors have been corrected, this was due to the transformation of the file format.

 

The abstract presents the methodology, but it lacks the research design, sample size, and evaluation criteria.

Response:

The abstract includes a more detailed description of the methodology used, which is based on a systematic literature review following the PRISMA protocol and the development of an iterative multimedia product. Included is a description of the study sample, which included elementary school children, where qualitative and quantitative feedback was obtained, allowing the effectiveness of the application to be assessed.

 

 

The abstract presents the key findings in general way noting that the tool was tested and improved based on feedback, but it does not specify any quantitative or qualitative results.

Response:

It was added in the summary that the results obtained made it possible to improve the design of the application and to obtain feedback from the teachers, which was very positive, but transmitted by direct interview. In the future (in Conclusion Section) it is planned to expand the validation phase with quantitative metrics to measure the impact of the application on emotional learning.

 

The introduction does not explicitly address the research gap stating what is missing in existing research.

Response:

Information has been added to the introduction section, which states that although there are educational applications aimed at emotional intelligence, there is a lack of studies that integrate gamified approaches specifically designed to support parents and teachers in helping children identify and manage their emotions. This study aims to fill this gap by developing and evaluating a gamified digital application centered on emotional intelligence.

 

The introduction does not specify the research approach used.

Response:

To fill this gap, a description of the methodology adopted has been added at the end of the Introduction Section, which combines a systematic literature review, following the PRISMA protocol, with an empirical study based on the development and validation of a gamified digital application.

 

In line 56, it was stated that “The article follows a conventional structure, with Section 2 presenting the research 56 method, ” and that was not accurate where section 2 presents the related studies. Besides conducting literature review, the study involved developing and testing a digital application with primary school students.

Response:

Changes have been made to make it clearer what section 2, section 3 and section 4 include. Where Section 2 presents the review, which is supported by the PRISMA methodology, section 3 describes the solution developed and finally section 4 which corresponds to the conclusion and future work.

 

On page 3, the figure appears to be missing a title or caption. The used language in this figure was not English. At the end of the related work section, the author(s) should explicitly highlight why this study is necessary compared to past work. In addition, a comparison of the previous works should be presented.

Response:

In the Introduction section, it was described that this study, compared to previous works, is necessary due to the scarcity of studies that integrate gamified approaches specifically designed to support parents and teachers in helping children identify and manage their emotions. This study aims to fill this gap by developing and evaluating a gamified digital application focused on emotional intelligence.

 

In the testing and validation section (line 356), there was a lack of clear testing methodology, the section does not explain how the evaluation was conducted.

Response:

It was described in Section 3.3 that the tests were carried out through direct observation and that feedback from the teachers was obtained in the same way, at this stage, to make improvements to the design of the application and gauge the suitability of the language used.

Thank you for your recognition. We tried to follow all your instructions.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript is clear, well-structured, and relevant to the field of education, particularly in the domain of emotional intelligence development in children through gamification. The paper follows a logical progression, beginning with a strong introduction that establishes the importance of emotional intelligence education. The methodology, results, and conclusions are presented in an organized manner, making the content accessible to readers. The work contributes to an emerging field, integrating digital solutions into social-emotional learning.

The references cited in the manuscript are mostly recent, covering the years from 2019 to 2024. This demonstrates an effort to incorporate the latest research on emotional intelligence, gamification, and digital education. However, a few older references, such as Simões et al. (2013), are included. While these may be foundational, updating them with more recent literature on gamification strategies could enhance the manuscript's alignment with current research trends.

Scientifically, the manuscript presents a sound approach. The research methodology is clearly described and adheres to the PRISMA systematic review framework, ensuring rigor in the selection of studies analyzed. The development process of the proposed digital application is systematically outlined, following a structured methodology. However, additional details on the development cycle, usability testing metrics, and validation processes would strengthen the scientific rigor of the study. The testing phase, though informative, relies primarily on qualitative feedback from teachers and students. A more robust analysis incorporating quantitative measures, such as pre-test and post-test comparisons, could provide stronger empirical support for the findings.

Regarding reproducibility, the methods section provides a clear overview of the app’s development. However, certain aspects of the methodology lack technical specifications that would be necessary for full reproducibility. More information on the data collection process, participant demographics, and statistical validation of the findings would enhance transparency and allow future researchers to replicate or build upon this work.

The manuscript includes several figures, tables, and images that effectively illustrate the research phases, application interface, and book mapping. However, there are instances where figures are not properly referenced, displaying “Error! Reference source not found.” These formatting issues should be corrected to ensure clarity. While the inclusion of screenshots and book mapping tables is helpful, additional data visualizations, such as charts representing student engagement or feedback trends, would further support the discussion.

In terms of data interpretation, the manuscript presents a well-articulated discussion based on qualitative observations. However, statistical analysis is limited, and there is no formal hypothesis testing or significance testing of the results. Including metrics on engagement levels, retention rates, and effectiveness of the application would strengthen the analysis. The addition of statistical measures would provide a more concrete assessment of the app’s impact on children’s emotional intelligence.

The conclusions drawn in the manuscript are consistent with the evidence presented, aligning with the qualitative findings obtained during testing. The discussion on future improvements is particularly valuable, outlining necessary refinements for the application. However, the study would benefit from a more detailed discussion of the specific improvements observed during testing, particularly in terms of how the application influenced children’s emotional awareness and behavioral responses.

The manuscript includes an ethics statement, which states that ethical approval was “not applicable.” Given that the study involved testing with children, a clearer explanation of whether parental or institutional consent was obtained would be beneficial. Ethical considerations should be explicitly addressed, particularly concerning data privacy and the handling of children’s responses. Similarly, the data availability statement is also marked as “not applicable,” but providing anonymized testing data or a structured data-sharing policy could enhance the study’s transparency and credibility.

In summary, this manuscript presents a well-organized and scientifically relevant study on gamification for emotional intelligence development in children. However, it would benefit from a more rigorous statistical framework to analyze user engagement, additional details on reproducibility, and a clearer articulation of ethical considerations. Addressing the formatting errors in figures and references would improve readability, and a more explicit discussion of data availability would enhance transparency. Overall, the study is a valuable contribution to the field and, with these refinements, could further strengthen its impact and reliability.

Author Response

The manuscript is clear, well-structured, and relevant to the field of education, particularly in the domain of emotional intelligence development in children through gamification. The paper follows logical progression, beginning with a strong introduction that establishes the importance of emotional intelligence education. The methodology, results, and conclusions are presented in an organized manner, making the content accessible to readers. The work contributes to an emerging field, integrating digital solutions into social-emotional learning.

 

Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback! I appreciate your acknowledgment of the manuscript's clarity, structure and relevance to the field of education. It is truly gratifying to know that the logical flow and organization of the research contribute to its accessibility and impact. The development of emotional intelligence through gamification is an evolving area, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the integration of digital solutions in socio-emotional learning. Your ideas reinforce our commitment to advancing this important field.

 

Comments:

The references cited in the manuscript are mostly recent, covering the years from 2019 to 2024. This demonstrates an effort to incorporate the latest research on emotional intelligence, gamification, and digital education. However, a few older references, such as Simões et al. (2013), are included. While these may be foundational, updating them with more recent literature on gamification strategies could enhance the manuscript's alignment with current research trends.

Response:
The older references are essential to give context to the document itself and to substantiate the use of gamification in teaching. A new reference has been added on line 49, which provides a basis for gamification strategies, helping to strengthen the theoretical and practical framework of the study. By making these strategies explicit, not only are the decisions made in the design of the gamified application developed better substantiated, but the study is also aligned with recognized good pedagogical practices and recent research in the field of education and educational psychology.

 

Scientifically, the manuscript presents a sound approach. The research methodology is clearly described and adheres to the PRISMA systematic review framework, ensuring rigor in the selection of studies analyzed. The development process of the proposed digital application is systematically outlined, following a structured methodology. However, additional details on the development cycle, usability testing metrics, and validation processes would strengthen the scientific rigor of the study. The testing phase, though informative, relies primarily on qualitative feedback from teachers and students. A more robust analysis incorporating quantitative measures, such as pre-test and post-test comparisons, could provide stronger empirical support for the findings.

Response:

The methodology adopted for development corresponds to a multimedia project development methodology, described in Section 3 - Developing the Bright Emotions Application. The application development cycle itself is described in Section 3.2 - Application, where the tools used are described and each screen of the application is detailed. The testing phase is described in Section 3.3- Testing and validation, which included an iterative process of collecting qualitative feedback from teachers and students, with successive improvements to the interface and content. In the future, it is planned to expand the validation phase with quantitative metrics to measure the application's impact on emotional learning.

 

 

Regarding reproducibility, the methods section provides a clear overview of the app’s development. However, certain aspects of the methodology lack technical specifications that would be necessary for full reproducibility. More information on the data collection process, participant demographics, and statistical validation of the findings would enhance transparency and allow future researchers to replicate or build upon this work.

Response:

On Section 3.2 the location of the school where the tests were carried out has been added. Statistical validation will be carried out in future work by the same classes in the final year of the 2024/2025 school year, since most of the students attend the same school.

 

The manuscript includes several figures, tables, and images that effectively illustrate the research phases, application interface, and book mapping. However, there are instances where figures are not properly referenced, displaying “Error! Reference source not found.” These formatting issues should be corrected to ensure clarity. While the inclusion of screenshots and book mapping tables is helpful, additional data visualizations, such as charts representing student engagement or feedback trends, would further support the discussion.

Response:

All figure errors have been corrected, this was due to the transformation of the file format.

At this stage, tests were carried out to see if the application was well developed, some adjustments were made in terms of clearer texts, placing more information notices and increasing the font size. Two images have been added in Section 3.3. to compare the changes made after the tests were carried out

 

In terms of data interpretation, the manuscript presents a well-articulated discussion based on qualitative observations. However, statistical analysis is limited, and there is no formal hypothesis testing or significance testing of the results. Including metrics on engagement levels, retention rates, and effectiveness of the application would strengthen the analysis. The addition of statistical measures would provide a more concrete assessment of the app’s impact on children’s emotional intelligence.

Response:

At this stage, tests were carried out to see if the application was well-built from the point of view of IT and user interaction. The issue of statistical analysis will begin at the end of the current school year, involving teachers, parents and children we refer these questions to future work.

 

The conclusions drawn in the manuscript are consistent with the evidence presented, aligning with the qualitative findings obtained during testing. The discussion on future improvements is particularly valuable, outlining necessary refinements for the application. However, the study would benefit from a more detailed discussion of the specific improvements observed during testing, particularly in terms of how the application influenced children’s emotional awareness and behavioral responses.

Response:

The analysis of how the application influenced the children's emotional awareness and behavioral responses will be done in the future with the same students and teachers. As described in Section 3.3., during the tests we received very positive feedback from the teachers, and the children shared their feelings verbally.

 

The manuscript includes an ethics statement, which states that ethical approval was “not applicable.” Given that the study involved testing with children, a clearer explanation of whether parental or institutional consent was obtained would be beneficial. Ethical considerations should be explicitly addressed, particularly concerning data privacy and the handling of children’s responses. Similarly, the data availability statement is also marked as “not applicable,” but providing anonymized testing data or a structured data-sharing policy could enhance the study’s transparency and credibility.

Response:

In section 3.3, after the general description of the children, a description of informed consent was included, which was obtained from the participating children's school and their parents. All ethical guidelines were followed, guaranteeing the privacy of the data and the anonymity of the responses. Despite the individual permission of each parent or guardian, all responses were anonymised as each child registered with the name of their favourite pet or hero, so there was no way of identifying each child.

 

In summary, this manuscript presents a well-organized and scientifically relevant study on gamification for emotional intelligence development in children. However, it would benefit from a more rigorous statistical framework to analyze user engagement, additional details on reproducibility, and a clearer articulation of ethical considerations. Addressing the formatting errors in figures and references would improve readability, and a more explicit discussion of data availability would enhance transparency. Overall, the study is a valuable contribution to the field and, with these refinements, could further strengthen its impact and reliability.

 

Thank you for your recognition. We tried to follow all your instructions.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The author(s) have made most of the necessary major adjustments; however, there are changes that I suggest the authors should take care of.

The most important changes needed are those related to presenting the qualitative results using a structured thematic analysis, supported by relevant quotes.

in addition I have the following comments:

• Line 83: The title needs revision. The author(s) should maintain a consistent reflective title—either "Related Work" or "Systematic Review of Literature."
• The "Error! Reference source not found." Message still appears in the document several times.
• The issue still exists regarding the methodology, as Section 2 is titled "Related WorkSystematic Review," which is unclear .
• On page 4, the language used in this figure is still not in English.
• The pictures on page 13 are duplicated and need to be removed.

Author Response

The author(s) have made most of the necessary major adjustments; however, there are changes that I suggest the authors should take care of.

The most important changes needed are those related to presenting the qualitative results using a structured thematic analysis, supported by relevant quotes.

Response: The “Testing and Validation” section has been reworked to integrate what was requested.

 

in addition I have the following comments:

Line 83: The title needs revision. The author(s) should maintain a consistent reflective title—either "Related Work" or "Systematic Review of Literature."

Response:

The title has been updated to “Systematic Review of Literature".

 

The "Error! Reference source not found." Message still appears in the document several times.

Response: Solved.

 

The issue still exists regarding the methodology, as Section 2 is titled "Related Work Systematic Review," which is unclear.

Response: The title has been updated

 

On page 4, the language used in this figure is still not in English.

Response: The figure has been updated

 

The pictures on page 13 are duplicated and need to be removed.

Response: The figures represent different functionalities. Figure 4 shows “Registration” and Figure 5 “Login”.

 

Thank you for your recognition, we tried to follow all your instructions.