THE IMPACT OF SERIOUS GAMES ON THE MOTIVATION AND ENGAGEMENT OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

The study investigated how serious games influenced the motivation and engagement of students with disabilities in the educational context. The general objective was to analyze the impact of these digital resources on the learning process, considering their contributions and limitations. The methodology was characterized as a qualitative bibliographic review, based on publications from 2022 to 2025, which were selected, organized, and analyzed according to their relevance to the theme. The results indicated that serious games fostered greater student involvement, expanded digital inclusion, and enabled improvements in performance in specific areas of knowledge. It was also identified that such resources stimulated students’ autonomy and protagonism, reinforcing the importance of pedagogical practices that combined playfulness and educational intentionality. However, limitations were found, such as technological barriers, lack of teacher training, and absence of public policies that ensured the accessibility of materials. In the final analysis, it was concluded that serious games positively influenced the motivation and engagement of students with disabilities, but their effectiveness depended on adequate structural conditions and teacher preparation. The study contributed to understanding the topic by highlighting the potential of digital games in strengthening educational inclusion, pointing out the need for further research on specific adaptations and the integration of innovative technological resources.