The instructional power of game-based learning and simulation in a K-12 school in the Tehran, Iran

Morteza Alibakhshi Kenari

doi:10.4103/2395-2555.161418

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Year : 2015 | Volume : 2 | Issue : 1 | Page : 20-24

The instructional power of game-based learning and simulation in a K-12 school in the Tehran, Iran

Morteza Alibakhshi Kenari
Martyr Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran

Date of Web Publication

23-Jul-2015

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Morteza Alibakhshi Kenari
Martyr Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran
Iran

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

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DOI: 10.4103/2395-2555.161418

Abstract

Psychologists have often emphasized the need to incorporate games into the school curriculum as a way of providing with learners opportunities to develop in all aspects of the curriculum. Accordingly, these games offer learners an avenue to release their mental tension resulting from rigorous academic engagement. Previous studies have also indicated that the learning process can be made more enjoyable for learners, when games are incorporated into the learning process. This study examined the instructional power of game-based learning and simulation in a K-12 setting and sought to provide insight as to whether game-based learning would be an emphatic method that could be used for teaching and learning. Many scholars have argued that game-based learning stirs up a sense of motivation on the side of learners regarding their learning process. Therefore, this study explored the distinct features of game-based learning which learners consider to be interesting/absorbing. The findings of this study showed that the use of game-based learning as an instruction method is very effective in the teaching and learning process. It has the ability to engage and provoke learners' interests. Besides, its experimental nature allows learners to participate fully in the class work. This means that teachers need to design teaching content that incorporates games since the latter provide a practical learning approach which helps learners to memorize most of the content learn. The study also recommends that educators tasked with designing and developing the curriculum should emphasize the importance of instructional methods that allow teachers to incorporate games into the teaching content.

Keywords: Game-based, instructional, K-12 education, learning, online, simulation

How to cite this article:
Kenari MA. The instructional power of game-based learning and simulation in a K-12 school in the Tehran, Iran. Eur J Psychol Educ Studies 2015;2:20-4

How to cite this URL:
Kenari MA. The instructional power of game-based learning and simulation in a K-12 school in the Tehran, Iran. Eur J Psychol Educ Studies [serial online] 2015 [cited 2021 Jan 21];2:20-4. Available from: https://www.ejpes.org/text.asp?2015/2/1/20/161418

Introduction

Psychologists believe that play has an important role in the growth and education of intellectual, social and emotional children. Piaget said that children experience when they play, they realize the cause and effect relationship between relationships. In other words, children through a variety of games, many are learning the rules of collective life. So adults should give the role of play in educating children and enabling them to provide creative games. Capabilities and business confidence is through play that children traditional training is achieved. ^[1] As children play, since rely and freely express their feelings and principles associated with their age, children learn that eventually leads to an understanding of communication. So, the game will not only increase the child's mind and intelligence, but often helps to solve your social and emotional problems. ^[2] Children who have some difficult and reconcile with the rules and regulations. By playing with kids their age should learn to respect the rules. On the other hand, play an instrument to discover talents and abilitiesof the child. ^[3] Play can indicate at what level the child is underdeveloped and is interested in what. Treated with understanding and applying the tools, talents and abilities donation will lead to greater prosperity. Many of the training courses can be found among the children, and even during the games can be an emotional situation, his feelings, thoughts and motivations is materealized. Therefore, it isvery important that coaches play in the lives of children in mind and provide suitable conditions for good game. ^[4] With the increasing use of technology in the classroom, many educators are exploring the use of instructional methods that would enhance their teaching and students' learning. ^[5] Educators acknowledge the fact that pedagogical practices need to embrace the learning opportunities available in the modern learning environment where learning tools such as computers, the internet, graphics, fantasy tools and so on are available. ^[6] They also acknowledge that learners' learning behavior has changed and therefore more learning materials have to be used in the learning process so as to boost their learning motivations and learning experiences. ^[7] Consequently, many educators have embraced game-based learning with the aim of motivating learners in their learning process. ^[8] A number of games have been incorporated in a range of instructional approaches for educational purposes. ^[9] Psychologists argue that there is a positive relation between students' learning and having fun. ^[10] Fun is regarded as a fundamental determinant of human behavior. ^[11] According to Birch, students are delighted in what their educators ask them to do since it allows them to have fun during the learning process. ^[12] Game-based learning enables students to learn by practice; hence, they get engaged in the entire learning process. ^[13] Similarly, games reinforce learner motivation. ^[14] The main reason why games are considered to be motivating is the fact that participants in the game are obliged to source for the relevant information that can enable them meet the challenges presented by the game. ^[15] In addition, some brain researchers have noted that the inclusion of fun in the learning process boosts the memory ability of the students as the contents that they are taught stick for long in their memory. ^[16]

Games are seen to complement the role of the teacher in the classroom; making learning fun and enjoyable. ^[17] Video and computer games allow students to simulate situations such as experiments, scientific, and historical events for themselves. ^[18] Similarly, they motivate students, who otherwise are weak in some subject areas by allowing them to encounter 'real problem' and devising ways of how to solve it. Besides, the increased use of games in classrooms has contributed to students' development in other aspects of their personal life. ^[19] Hence, skills such as patience, discipline, critical thinking skills, problem solving among others, are learned with the use of games. ^[20] The study therefore sought to determine the effectiveness of game-based learning in schools, its influence on students' motivation and other factors of motivation associated with game-based learning. ^[21]

Materials and Methods

In order to achieve the objective of the study, the researchers adopted a mixed methodology by incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. Quantitative methodology is relevant for categorizing the observations or variables, examining the variables and generating statistical representations to analyze the observations. Qualitative approach on the other hand helps generate information that applies to the designated case study. We therefore sampled 450 students and teachers and sent them questionnaires to gather quantitative data. The questionnaire items comprised two major categories including the demographic part and the Likert-scale items and closed-ended items seeking to gather views of the respondents on the study topic. The Likert-scale questionnaire contained 10 items and the other part also contained five closed ended items.

Two hundred and thirty-seven respondents (52.6%) of the expected 450 respondents completed the questionnaires. Female respondents were 142 and male respondents were 95. Many respondents were from the age-group 40-49 years (43%, n = 101). This was followed by respondents in the age-group 30-39 years (24%, n = 57). The third largest age-group was 50-59 years which had 55 respondents (23%). The age-group under 30 years had the lowest number of respondents (10%, n = 24). These results were analyzed using SPSS and correlation analysis. At the same time, the researcher sampled 20 students who were engaged in 13 weeks of game-based learning. Each game-based lesson lasted 30 minutes. At the end of the intervention period, the researchers engaged the participants in an interview. The interview questions sought to answer the questions 'why?', 'how?', and 'what?' as regards the subject of the research.

Results

Survey results

Respondents were issued with questionnaires in order to give their responses regarding the instructional power of game-based learning and simulations in education. The results showed that the mean for the effectiveness of game-based learning was 113.20, with a standard deviation of 14.30. From this computation, it can be deduced that many students and teachers believed that game-based learning is incredibly effective. This is indicated by the high value of the standard deviation. The mean and standard deviation for the other relationships: The influence of game-based learning on motivation; the impacts of game-based learning on students' learning; and other motivating factors connected to game-based learning and instructional power, are also shown in [Table 1] below.

Table 1: Summary of descriptive statistics

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Inferential statistics were also calculated and the results showed strong correlations between the influence of game-based learning on motivation and instructional power (r = 0.598, P < 0.01), other motivating factors connected to game-based learning and instructional power (r = 0.585, P < 0.01), effectiveness of game-based learning and its instructional power (r = 0.386, P < 0.01), and between impacts of game-based learning and instructional power (r = 0.268, P < 0.05) [Table 2].

Table 2: Summary of the inferential statistics

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Interview results

The results of the interview also provided some valuable insights. First, a large majority (n = 16) of the students who were interviewed responded that they really enjoyed their learning when it was game-based. The students liked the idea of sourcing information on their own as well as corresponding to their peers as they engaged in problem solving situations. However, the remaining four students responded that their learning motivation did not change even with the introduction of game-based learning. They were mainly motivated by the need to attain excellent grades. Two, it was noted that game-based learning was quite engaging especially with respects to aspects of team work, competition between teams, and the feedback received from the instructor. Game-based learning provided an enjoyable ambience to them as it promoted strong social connection among the students. Three, the use of game-based learning helped the students to gain interest in their learning as it enabled them to search for information by themselves instead of relying mainly on the notes provided by the teachers in the classroom. Besides, it allowed them to actively participate during the learning process. Fourth, factors such as the aims, desires, and goals of the students were found to be the other motivating factors for the students to work hard in their class work.

The results were analyzed using SPSS and correlation analysis. The responses of the students who were interviewed were listed in five main categories as suggested below:

Out of 20 students, 16 of them confirmed that they really enjoyed their learning when it was game-based. The students had a higher affinity of sourcing for their own information in addition to corresponding with their colleagues in order to meet the challenges of their studies. The students alluded to the fact that learning was more enjoyable in game-based learning as compared to the traditional system of learning whereby the teacher just gave out notes. The remaining four students pointed out that their learning motivation did not change even with the introduction of game-based learning. Their main motivation for learning was the ability to attain excellent grades; thus, the introduction of games did not matter at all
The students appreciated that game-based learning was quite engaging especially with respects to aspects of team work, competition between teams, and the feedback received from the instructor. Game-based learning provided an enjoyable ambience to them as there is a strong social connection among the students. The learning environment is therefore rendered to be free of stress. When the students work as a team amongst themselves, a feeling of social belonging is created
The use of game-based learning helped the students to gain interest in their learning because of the fact that the students searched for information by themselves instead of just relying on the notes provided by the teachers in classrooms. In addition, the students did not find any lesson to be boring because of the fact that they were actively participating during the lessons. This notion was supported the fact that the results of the study showed that the class attendance was excellent during the 13 weeks of the course
The students were comfortable with the 30 minutes that were allocated for the game-based learning as it was effective in stimulating their interests. Nevertheless, the 30 minutes was not found to be sufficient enough to affect the motivation of the students with regard to their learning. The main motivation of the students came from the fact that they desired to attain high grades or scores and to have a bright future with regard to their careers
Besides game-based learning acting as a motivating factor the students, other factors such as the aims, desires and the goals of the students were the main motivating factors for the students to work hard in their studies. Some students pointed out to the fact that they worked so hard in their studies so as to attract confidence and recognition from their parents.

Discussion

Psychologists emphasize the integration of games in the school curriculum as a way of helping students develop in all their faculties. ^[22] Besides, games provide students with an avenue to release their mental tension resulting from rigorous academic engagement. ^[23] The research has shown that the learning process can be made more enjoyable by using games as part of the learning activities. They also add value to learning as they encourages conceptualizing imagined phenomenon to real life experiences. ^[24] In addition, when effectively used, games can facilitate learning because they enable students to learn important life skills such as problem solving skills, patience, critical thinking skills and discipline among others. ^[25] As opposed to traditional learning methods which mainly involve lecture, game-based learning reinforces learning motivation. ^[26] The main reason why games are considered to be motivating is the fact that the participants in the game get the opportunity to source for relevant information that can enable them to meet the challenges presented by the game. ^[27] Traditional learning method is very much different from game-based learning due to the fact that students do not have to think or be creative as they are given the necessary figures or facts to comprehend the essential ones. ^[28] The practice of teachers using games in class is gaining popularity at a fast rate. This is especially because it is more appealing to each student and it makes learning more enjoyable and memorable. ^[29] The practice is applicable to all subjects and it only requires a little creativity on the part of the teacher to effectively achieve the lesson objective to a high level. ^[30] Teachers who are not well experienced in the use of games in the classroom can now access resources on the internet on the best practice of transferring games to the classroom. ^[31] When effectively used, games can facilitate learning because they enable students to learn important life virtues such as problem solving skills, patience, critical thinking skills and discipline among others. Also, they add value to learning as they encourages conceptualizing imagined phenomenon to real life experiences. ^[32] Despite the positive effects that games bring in a learning environment, improper use can have adverse effects on a student. ^[33] Effects such as health problems, abnormal behaviors such as aggressiveness and poor time management can result as a result of improper administration of games. ^[34]

The use of games has strong educational values since it is a very sufficient resource for improving the standards of learning. Students are encouraged to shape up their time management skills in addition to being focused and attentive to the teachers' instructions. Just like teachers, some students also find it difficult to embrace new change in the learning environment. ^[35] Therefore, it is prudent that, when introducing educational technology to the learning environment, a lot of concern should be attributed particularly to the students who have second thoughts concerning change in the learning environment. ^[36]

Conclusion

Proponents of computer-based learning point out that game-based learning carries with it the capacity to revolutionize the mode of learning in institutions. The modern world students feel more motivated to learn than they would have felt when using traditional methods of learning. The main reason why games are considered to be motivating is that the participants in the game are obliged to source for the relevant information that can enable them to meet the challenges presented by the game. Traditional learning method is very much different from game-based learning due to the fact that students do not have to think or be creative as they are given the necessary figures or facts to comprehend the essential ones. The use of games, therefore, has a strong and immediate impact in the learning environment. The increased use of games in the classrooms has contributed to students' development in other aspects of their personal life. Hence, skills such as patience, discipline, critical thinking skills, problem solving among others, are learned with the use of games.

In the future, researchers should look into the various aspects of game-based learning that offer motivation to the students. In addition, the researchers need to come up with the various measures of learning gains and also the degrees of learning. Finally, future studies should explore the effectiveness of game-based learning amongst mentally challenged students.

Remember, children shouldlearnmany thingsin lifeandcanplayan important roletoplay in this regard.

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