Dergiler / Osmangazi Journal of Educational Research / 2026 / Volume: 13 Issue: 1

The Effect of Educational Games on Students’ Academic Achievement in Science and Their Motivation Towards Science Lessons

Hüseyin Yolcu(TC MİLLİ EĞİTİM BAKANLIĞI AMASYA)0000-0002-5914-0329
Ecem Söğüt(TC MİLLİ EĞİTİM BAKANLIĞI AMASYA)0009-0009-4331-5452
Gökhan Sontay(TC MİLLİ EĞİTİM BAKANLIĞI AMASYA)0000-0003-4199-8674
Orhan Karamustafaoğlu(AMASYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, EĞİTİM FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-2542-0998
Sayfa
—
Yayın Tarihi
2026-09-01
🏛️Bu makalenin bibliyografik verileri ve tam metin bağlantısı DergiPark üzerinden sağlanmıştır.
DergiPark Kaydı ↗
✨

Yapay Zeka Hızlı Bakış & Çıkarımlar

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(1 Cümlede Hızlı Çıkarım)

In this context, the study demonstrates that educational games are an effective method in science education, offering innovative teaching strategies for teachers and educators.

📌 3 Maddede Bu Makale

🎯
Amaç & Hipotez:Educational games are teaching methods designed to create a comfortable environment for students, making learning long lasting, enjoyable, and effective.
📊
Temel Bulgular & Veri:This study examines the effects of educational games on the academic achievement and motivation of 5th-grade middle school students in science lessons.
💡
Sonuç & Katkı:In this context, the study demonstrates that educational games are an effective method in science education, offering innovative teaching strategies for teachers and educators.
🔬Tür:Research Article
📍Kapsam:2025-2026 Verileri
⚙️Değişkenler:Science education · educational games · academic achievement

Abstract

Educational games are teaching methods designed to create a comfortable environment for students, making learning long lasting, enjoyable, and effective. By actively engaging students in the learning process, educational games make subjects such as science more effective. This study examines the effects of educational games on the academic achievement and motivation of 5th-grade middle school students in science lessons. Science courses can often be challenging for students due to their abstract concepts. Consequently, game-based learning methods are becoming increasingly important in helping students to better understand these topics. In this study, educational games were used to teach the “Cells and Organelles” topic, and their effects on students’ academic achievement and motivation toward science were investigated. The research was conducted using a pre-test-post-test single-group experimental design and was implemented on 32 students attending a public school in Amasya during the 2025-2026 academic year. Over five weeks, students’ active participation was encouraged through various educational games. The findings indicate that game-based instruction significantly improved students’ academic achievement and positively influenced their motivation toward science. In this context, the study demonstrates that educational games are an effective method in science education, offering innovative teaching strategies for teachers and educators.

🔖

Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Yolcu, H., Söğüt, E., Sontay, G., Karamustafaoğlu, O. (2026). The Effect of Educational Games on Students’ Academic Achievement in Science and Their Motivation Towards Science Lessons. Osmangazi Journal of Educational Research, Volume: 13 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.59409/ojer.1926462

📄 Tam Metin PDF Okuyucu

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

Kaynakça (44)

  1. Akandere, M. (2013). Eğitici okul oyunları. Ankara: Nobel.
  2. Alan, S. (2016). The effect of 'electricity in life' unit of 7th grade in primary schools to student success which has been prepared with educational games. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Amasya University, Amasya.
  3. Ausubel, D.P. (1968). Educational psychology: a cognitive view. Holt, Rinehart and Winston: New York.
  4. Bakar, A., Tüzün, H., & Çağıltay, K. (2008). Students’ opinions of educational computer game utilization: A social studies course case. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 35, 27-37. https://izlik.org/JA37BT28RD.
  5. Balakrishna, C. (2023). The impact of in-classroom non-digital game-based learning activities on students transitioning to higher education. Education Sciences, 13(4), 328-351. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13040328.
  6. Bayat, S., Kılıçaslan, H., & Şentürk, Ş. (2014). Analysing the effects of educational games in science and technology course on seventh grade students’ academic achievements. Abant İzzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education, 14(2), 204-216. https://izlik.org/JA68NM29TJ.
  7. Boz, C. (2019). The effect of songs composed on cell subject in the teaching of science course to 6th grade students. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Aksaray University, Aksaray.
  8. Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2020). Sosyal bilimler için veri analizi el kitabı. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
  9. Chen, S.Y., Tsai, J.-C., Liu, S.-Y. & Chang, C.-Y. (2021). The effect of a scientific board game on improving creative problem solving skills. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2021.100921.
  10. Chuang, T. Y., & Chen, W. F. (2007). Effect of digital games on children’s cognitive achievement. Journal of Multimedia, 2(5), 27-30. https://doi.org/10.4304/jmm.2.5.27-30.
  11. Çoban, B., & Nacar, E. (2013). Okul öncesi eğitimde eğitsel oyunlar. Ankara: Nobel.
  12. Darmayanti, H., Khosiyono, B. H. C., Nisa, A. F., & Supriyadi, D. (2025). Enhancing elementary students’ interest and conceptual understanding of the solar system through edutainment-based interactive learning media. AL-ISHLAH Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(3), 4814-4823. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i3.7064.
  13. Demirel, Ö. (2012). Planlamadan değerlendirmeye öğretme sanatı. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
  14. Dumlu Güler, T. (2011). The effect of teaching through educational game of “Cell and organelles” topic in 6th grade science education courses on academic achievement of students. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Atatürk University, Erzurum.
  15. Garris, B., Ahlers, R., & Driskell, J. E. (2002). Games, motivation and learning: A research and practice model: Simulation & Gaming. Journal of Simulation & Gaming, 33(4), 441-467. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878102238607.
  16. Gençer, S., & Karamustafaoğlu, O. (2014). The views of students regarding teaching of “static electricity” with educational games. Journal of Inquiry Based Activities, 4(2), 72-87.
  17. Gürbüz, F., Çeker, E., & Töman, U. (2017). Effects of educational song and game techniques on the academic achievement of students and retention of the achievement. Bayburt Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 12(24), 593-612. https://izlik.org/JA65SL26DL.
  18. Hanbaba, L., & Bektaş, M. (2012). The effects of the teaching by games method on achievement and attitudes in the social studies course. Abant İzzet Baysal University Journal of Faculty of Education, 12(1), 115-128. https://izlik.org/JA72AX23CK.
  19. Hazar, Z., & Altun, M. (2018). Investigation of teacher opinions and competencies for educational games. Celal Bayar University Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 13(1), 52-72. https://izlik.org/JA62JY49LU.
  20. Karamustafaoğlu, O., & Kaya, M. (2013). Teaching the subject of ‘reflection and mirrors’ with educational games: A case of reflective race. Journal of Inquiry Based Activities, 3(2), 41-49.
  21. Karamustafaoğlu, O. & Yurtyapan, E. (2016). The teaching of “Absorption of light” subject in seventh grade science course with educational games: Color game case. Route Educational and Social Science Journal,3(4), 81-94.
  22. Koçyiğit, S., Tuğluk, M. N., & Kök, M. (2007). Play as educational activity in the child’s development process. Educational Academic Research, (16), 324-342. https://izlik.org/JA83TP73LK.
  23. Korkmaz, S. (2018). Development and effectiveness of educational games in science teaching as supplementary material on students' achievement and attitude towards science. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Bartın University, Bartın.
  24. Küçük, R., & Çoruhlu, T. Ş. (2025). Investigating the effect of the educational games on the conceptual development of fourth-grade primary school students. Bartın University Journal of Educational Research, 9(1), 66-86. https://izlik.org/JA98YR99TW.
  25. Liu, E. Z. F., & Chen, P.-K. (2013). The effect of game-based learning on students’ learning performance in science learning – A case of “Conveyance go.” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 103, 1044-1051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.430.
  26. Marhani, M. (2026). The effect of traditional game-based learning media on students’ motivation and participation in physical education at an elementary school in Parepare. International Journal of Humanities Education and Social Sciences, 4(1), 158-175. https://doi.org/10.58578/ijhess.v4i1.9168.
  27. Ministry of National Education (MoNE). (2025). Türkiye Century Maarif Model Curriculum Joint Text. Ankara: Board of Education.
  28. Othman, M. K., & Ching, S. K. (2024). Gamifying science education: How board games enhances engagement, motivate and develop social interaction, and learning. Education and Information Technologies, 29, 24525-24561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12818-5
  29. Önen, F., Demir, S., & Şahin, F. (2012). Science teacher candidates’ views about games and evaluating prepared games by them. Ahi Evran University Journal of Kırşehir Education Faculty, 13(3), 299-318. https://izlik.org/JA29ZC97MT.
  30. Ören Şaşmaz, F., & Avcı Erduran, D. (2004). The effect of educational game teaching on academic achievement in science educational course in subject of “Solar System and Planats”. Ondokuz Mayıs University Journal of Education Faculty, (18), 67-76.
  31. Özer, A., Gürkan, A. C., & Ramazaoğlu, M. O. (2006). Effects of games on development of children. Research of Eastern Anatolia Region, 4(3), 54-57. https://izlik.org/JA96ND78WP.
  32. Öz Pektaş, H. (2017). Traditional children games in modern education. The Journal of International Social Research, 10(49), 478-490. https://doi.org/10.17719/jisr.2017.1600.
  33. Plass, J. L., Homer, B. D., & Kinzer, C. K. (2015). Foundations of game-based learning. Educational Psychologist, 50(4), 258-283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2015.1122533.
  34. Piaget, J. (1972). Intellectual evolution from adolescence to adulthood. Human Development, 15(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1159/000271225.
  35. Şahin, Ç., & Akis, Ç. K. (2022). Teacher’s opinions on educational games in educational reading and writing during the Covid-19 epidemic. Journal of Mother Tongue Education, 10(3), 631-647. https://doi.org/10.16916/aded.1114841.
  36. Tabachnick, B.G. & Fidell, L.S. (2012). Using multivariate statistics. 6th Edition, Pearson Education, Boston.
  37. Uğurel, I., & Moralı, S. (2008). The interaction of mathematics and game. Journal of Gazi Faculty of Education, 28(3), 75-98. https://izlik.org/JA37UF94YJ.
  38. Uyanık, G. (2014). Examining the effectiveness of conceptual change approach in fourth grade primary school science and technology course. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Gazi University, Ankara.
  39. Woolfolk, A. (2019). Educational psychology (14th ed.). New York: Pearson.
  40. Yazıcıoğlu, S., & Çavuş-Güngören, S. (2019). Investigate the effect of game-based activities on middle school students' science learning according to achievement, motivation, attitude and gender variables. Necatibey Faculty of Education Electronic Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 13(1), 389-413. https://doi.org/10.17522/balikesirnef.584673.
  41. Yenice, N., Tunç, G. A., & Yavaşoğlu, N. (2019). Effects of educational games on the fifth grade students’ motivation to learn science. e-International Journal of Educational Research, 10(1), 87-100. https://doi.org/10.19160/ijer.369935.
  42. Yıldırım, M., & Can, S. (2017). “There are or not” at science course with instructional games?. Journal of Kazım Karabekir Education Faculty, (35), 14-30. https://izlik.org/JA53SF52TN.
  43. Yıldız, E., Ağgül, Ö., Çalıklar, Ş., & Şi̇mşek, Ü. (2020). The effect of educational games and cooperative learning on students’ academic achievements, social skills and learning motivations. Journal of Social Sciences of Muş Alparslan University, 8(6), 1703-1716. https://doi.org/10.18506/anemon.671575.
  44. Yıldız, E., Şimşek, Ü., & Aras, H. (2017). The effect of the educational game method on students’ social skills, attitude towards the school, and science learning anxiety. Necatibey Faculty of Education Electronic Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 11(1), 281-400. https://doi.org/10.17522/balikesirnef.356305.