Investigation of students' opinions on the effectiveness of game teaching method in terms of mathematics self-efficacy perception and mathematics attitude

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between 4th grade elementary school students' perceptions of the effectiveness of the game teaching method and their self-efficacy and attitude in mathematics. Relational survey model, one of the quantitative research designs, was used in the study. The study group of the research consists of 4th grade students attending primary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Diyarbakır city center in the 2023-2024 academic year. In this context, the validity and reliability study of the data collection tools used in the research and the sub-problems of the research were reached to the students selected by convenience sampling and criterion sampling. For the validity and reliability study of the data collection tools, 400 students selected by convenience sampling and 401 students selected by criterion sampling for the sub-problems were reached. The "Scale of Effectiveness of Game-Based Teaching Method", "Mathematics Attitude Scale" and "Mathematics Course Self-Efficacy Perception Scale (MSPEPS)" were used as data collection tools. Statistical package program was used to analyze the data. For the analysis of the data, normality test was applied and since it was seen that the data exhibited a normal distribution, independent groups t-test and ANOVA test were used as parametric tests. In addition, correlation was used to look at the relationship and simple linear regression was used to determine the predictive power. As a result of the study, it was seen that there was no significant difference in terms of gender in terms of mathematics self-efficacy perception, mathematics attitude and the effectiveness of game-based teaching method. In addition, it was seen that the self-efficacy perceptions, opinions on game-based instruction and attitudes towards mathematics were more positive for those who felt themselves competent in mathematics. As a result of the regression analysis, it was seen that the game-based teaching method was a significant predictor of self-efficacy perceptions and attitudes towards mathematics. According to the results of the correlation analysis, it was seen that there was a positive and moderately significant relationship between mathematics attitude and self-efficacy perceptions towards mathematics course. Key Words: Teaching with Play, Self-efficacy, Attitude, Mathematics, Primary School.