The effectiveness of instructional games on academic achievement and attitude towards science learning

Subject Areas : Research in Curriculum Planning

Esmaeel Azimi ¹ , Reza Jafari Harandi ² , Saeed Mousavi Pour ³

1 - 1کارشناس ارشد آموزش و پرورش
2 - 2استادیار گروه علوم تربیتی، دانشگاه قم، قم، ایران
3 - 3استادیار گروه علوم تربیتی، دانشگاه اراک، اراک، ایران

Received: 2017-10-17 Accepted : 2017-10-17 Published : 2014-09-23

Keywords: instructional computer games, teaching science, and attitude towards learning scienc, Academic Achievement,

Abstract :

The goal of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of instructional computer games on academic achievement and attitude of forth grade students towards science learning in the city of Arak. The method being used in this research is semi-experimental research method and the research pattern is of two group pattern with pre-test and post-test. The statistical population is of 1836 students in the fourth grade of primary schools in Arak city during academic year of 1390-91. Based on random stratified sampling method Forty students are selected 20 of them being placed in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. Thus, 10 topics are selected from the 4th grade science book and computer games are produced out of those topics. The experimental group played those instructional computer games and the control group was taught based on the traditional method. Data collection was conducted through educational improvement test and attitude scale towards learning science by Akpinar et al. Reliability coefficient was computed for educational improvement test as 0.8 and for attitude towards science as 0.77. ANCOVA was utilized to analyze the data. Results suggest that those students playing instructional computer games significantly had better academic achievement and better attitude towards science learning than students who were trained through traditional method , P < 0/001. Therefore, the use of instructional computer game is recommended in teaching science.

References:

Agh arkakli, R., safari, N., hafezi kan kowt, H. (2011). Surveying the Effect of Educational Applications of Information and Communication Technology on the Critical Thinking and Attitude of the First Grade High School Girl Students from District 4 in Tehran. Journal of Research in Curriculum Planning, 2 (31), 36-49. Aghlara, L. , Tamjid, N. H. (2011). The effect of digital games on Iranian children’s vocabulary retention in foreign language acquisition, Infternational Conference on Education and Educational Psychology (ICEEPSY 2011), istanbol, turkey, 19-22 octobr 2011, from site: http://www.iceepsy.org/content.asp?Units_id=47. Akpınar, E., Yıldız, E., Tatar, N., & Ergin, Ö. (2009). Students Attitudes toward Science and Technology: An Investigation of Gender, Grade Level, and Academic Achievement. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1, 2804-2808. Available online at www.sciencedirect.com. Aminifar , Saleh Sedghpour , Zadedabbaq . (2012). The Effect of a Computer Game on Students’ Mathematics Motivation and Achievement. Journal of Technology & Education, 6 (3), 177-184. Amory, A. (2007). Game object model version II: a theoretical framework for educational game development. Education Tech Research Development, 55, 51–77. Amory, A. (2010). Learning to play games or playing games to learn? A health education case study with Soweto teenagers. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 26(6), 810-829. Annetta, L. A., Minogue J., Holmes S. Y., Cheng M.-T. (2009). Investigating the impact of video games on high school students’ engagement and learning about genetics. Computers & Education, 53, 74–85. Asgary, A., Khaghanizadeh M. (2010). Multimedia method of education. Siencetific Journal of Education Strategies in Medical Siences, 2(4), 173-176. Becker, K. (2011). the Magic bullet: A tool for Assessing and Evaluating Learning potential in Games., International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 1 (1), 19-31. Carr, D., Bossomaier, T. (2011). Relativity in a rock field: A study of physics learning with computer game. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 27(6), 1042-1067. Chang, Y. C., Peng, H. Y.,& Chao, H. C. (2010). Examining the effects of learning motivation and of course design in an instructional simulation game. Interactive Learning Environments, 18 (4), 319-339. Chen, H.-P., Lien, C.-J., Annetta, L., & Lu, Y.-L. (2010). The Influence of an Educational Computer Game on Children's Cultural Identities. Educational Technology & Society, 13 (1), 94–105. Chuang, T.-Y., & Chen, W.-F. (2009). Effect of Computer-Based Video Games on Children: An Experimental Study. Educational Technology & Society, 12 (2), 1–10. Conati, C., Zhao, X. (2004). Building and Evaluating an Intelligent Pedagogical Agent to Improve the Effectiveness of an Educational Game, IUI-CADUI Proceedings of the 9th international conference on Intelligent user interfaces, New York, NY, USA, 6-13. Demirbilek, M ., Ylmaz, E .,& Tamer, S. (2010). Second Language Instructors’ Perspectives about the Use of Educational Games. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9, 717–721. Dolf Achrash, H. (2011). Effect of Computer-Assisted Instruction on Science Achievement. Journal of Technology & Education, 5 (1), 35-39 Huang, C.-C., Yeh, T.-K., Li, T.-Y., & Chang, C.-Y. (2010). The Idea Storming Cube: Evaluating the Effects of Using Game and Computer Agent to Support Divergent Thinking. Educational Technology & Society, 13 (4), 180–191. Hwang, G.-J., Wu, P.-H. (2012). Advancements and trends in digital game-based learning research: a review of publications in selected journals from 2001 to 2010. British Journal of Educational Technology, 43 (1), E6–E10. Ja'faree Harandee, R., Meershah Ja'faree, E., Leeyaaghatdaar, M. (2009). A comparison of science education curricula in Iran and few other countries. Journal of New Thoughts on Education, 5 (2), 145-193. karami, A., yonesi J., aziziyan, A. (2010). Comparing the Effectiveness of Chemistry Laboratory Instruction Using Educational Software Versus Traditional One on Students' Educational Progress. Journal of Technology & Education, 4 (2), 91-99. Ketamo, H.,& Suominen, M. (2010). Learning-by-Teaching in Educational Game: Educational Outcome, User Experience and Social Networks. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 21(2), 237-255. Khademi, S., Noori., Farnoudi, N., Heidari, H. (2011). Application of the Scientific Games For the Learning Improvement of Mechanical Concepts in High School. Journal of Technology & Education, 5 (1), 25-34. Kim, B., Park, H., Baek, Y. (2009). Not just fun, but serious strategies: Using meta-cognitive strategies in game-based learning. Computers & Education, 52, 800–810. Kovačević, I., Minović, M., Milovanović, M., Pablos, P. O. d., Starčević, D. ( In Press). Motivational aspects of different learning contexts: “My mom won’t let me play this game…”. Computers in Human Behavior, Available online 21 February 2012. Frome site: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563212000258 Leach, G. J., Sugarman, T. S. (2005). Play to win! Using games in library instruction to enhance student learning. Research Strategies, 20 ( 3), 191-203. Mayer, R. E. (2001). Multimedia learning. New York: Cambridge University Press. Mehrabifar, F., mortazavi, M., Lasani, M. (2012). Reviewing the types of computer games and the time spent on them and their relationship with the students’ educational achievement in Kerman’s high schools (2009-2010). Journal of Research in Curriculum Planning, 2 (34) :125-135. Miller, D. J., Robertson, D. P. ( 2011). Educational benefits of using game consoles in a primary classroom: A randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42 (5), 850-864. Monsefi Rad, A., Sarabadani, A. (2005). An introduction to principles and standards of evaluation of instructional softwares. Tehran: Madrese publication. Panoutsopoulos, H., & Sampson, D. G. (2012). A Study on Exploiting Commercial Digital Games into School Context. Educational Technology & Society, 15 (1), 15–27. Petkov, M., Rogers, G. E. (2011). Using Gaming to Motivate Today’s Technology-Dependent Students. Journal of Stem Teacher Education, 48 (1), 7-12. Pivec, M., dziabenko, O., & schinnerl, I. (2003). Aspect of game-based learning. Proceedings of I-KNOW ’03 ,Graz, Austria, July 2-4, 216- 225. Pivec, P., Pivec, M .(2011). digital Games: changing Education, one raid at a time. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 1 (1), 1-18 Rabiei, M., Talebian, M. H. (2011). instructional technologies in science. Educational technology Roshd, 28(1), 34-37. Rastegarpour, H., Marashi, P. (2012). The effect of card games and computer games on learning of chemistry concepts. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 31, 597 – 601. Ritzhaupt, A., Higgins, H. & Allred, B. (2011). Effects of modern educational game play on attitudes towards mathematics, mathematics self-efficacy, and mathematics achievement. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 22(2), 277-297. Sadr al –Ashrafi, M. (2007). Apllicationof Standards for teaching science in Iran. Journal of Technology & Education. 1(4),217-236 Seif , A. (2010). Modern educational psychology. Tehran: Doran Publication. Sowunmi, O., Aladejana, F., & Ikere-Ekiti, N. (2013). Effect of simulation games and computer assisted instruction on performance in primary science. The 2013 WEI International Academic Conference Proceedings Orlando, USA, 10-15. Sung, T., Chuang, Y. (2007). Effect of Digital Games on Children’s Cognitive Achievement. Journal of multimedia, 2 ( 5), 27-30. Tamjid Tash, E. (2011). Comparative Examination of the effect of social games and computer games on child’s development. Payvand Journal, 385, 38-41. TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center (ISC). (2009). The most important research findings of TIMSS & PIRLS Studies. Research institute for education, ministry of education, from site: http://www.rie.ir/index.aspx?siteid=75&pageid=324 Tuzun, H., Yılmaz-Soylu, M., Karakuş, T., İnal, Y.,& Kızılkaya G. (2009). The effects of computer games on primary school students’ achievement and and motivation in geography learning. Computers& Education, 52 (1), 68–77. Whitton, N. (2010). Learning with Digital Games: A Practical Guide to Engaging Students in high education, New York: Routledge. Zaki, M. A. (2011). Students’ Attitude Toward Mathematics And Relationship to Exam Anxiety(Case:male and female high school students of governmental high schools of the city of Isfahan. Journal of Psychological Studies, 7 (3), 153-181. Zamani, B., & Afhkhami Kheirabadi, A. (2006). Introducing New Strategies to use ICT in Science Education for Instructors. Iranian Journal of Engineering Education. 8(32), 105-131. Zarabian, F., Rastegar Pour, H., Zandi, B., Sarmady, M., Farajollahi, M. (2009). Review The Impact of E-learning Program on Dictation Skills of Primary School Students Based on Design,4 (3), 235-247

_||_