Book excerpt: Gamification is an increasingly popular technology that has been utilized across a number of fields such as business, medicine, and education. As education continues to turn toward online teaching and learning, gamification is one of many new technologies that have been proven to assist educators in providing holistic and effective instruction. Additional research is required to ensure this technology is utilized appropriately within the classroom. The Handbook of Research on the Influence and Effectiveness of Gamification in Education considers the importance of gamification in the current learning environment and discusses the best practices, opportunities, and challenges of this innovative technology within an educational setting. Covering a wide range of critical topics such as engagement, serious games, and escape rooms, this major reference work is essential for policymakers, academicians, administrators, scholars, researchers, practitioners, instructors, and students.