The Effects of Game-Based Learning and Anticipation of a Test on the Learning Outcomes of 10th Grade Geology Students
Chia-Li Debra Chen 1, Ting-Kuang Yeh 1, Chun-Yen Chang 1 *
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1 National Taiwan Normal University* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Background:
This study examines whether a Role Play Game (RPG) with embedded geological contents and students’ anticipation of an upcoming posttest significantly affect high school students’ achievements of and attitudes toward geology.

Material and methods:
The participants of the study were comprised of 202 high school students, 103 males and 99 females. The students were divided into 4 groups: 1. RPG group with pre-announced posttest, 2. RPG group with unannounced posttest, 3. No RPG group with pre-announced posttest, and 4. No RPG group with unannounced posttest. A 2x2 MANCOVA was conducted on the posttest scores with students’ pretest scores as the covariates.

Results:
The results indicated that: (a) there was no statistically significant interaction effect between RPG and anticipation of posttest on students’ learning outcomes; (b) there was no statistically significant main effect for RPG on students’ learning outcomes; however, (c) whether or not students had anticipated an upcoming posttest significantly affected their geological achievements and attitudes.

Conclusions:
In conclusion, testing has positive effects as a reinforcement to help students both retain their content knowledge and have positive attitudes towards geology.

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, 2016, Volume 12, Issue 5, 1379-1388

https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2016.1519a

Publication date: 20 Mar 2016

Article Views: 4302

Article Downloads: 2471

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