Middle school 5th grade about fractions the effect of game-based learning on mathematics motivation

This thesis was conducted to investigate the effect of game-based teaching on fractions in secondary school 5th grade on mathematics motivation and to investigate student experiences and student opinions regarding experimental application. The method of the research is a nested mixed design. Data collection tools are mathematics motivation scale and semi-structured interview form. The study group of the research is 5th grade students studying at a public secondary school in the İpekyolu district of Van, in the first semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. In the experimental group, lessons were conducted with a game-based learning approach, and in the control group, lessons were conducted with a traditional teaching method. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the sub-dimensions of the mathematics motivation scale, with a low level of effect in favor of the experimental group, for each of the sub-dimensions of subject value, learning belief and self-efficacy. The game-based learning method in mathematics education has a low and positive effect on mathematics motivation. Although there was no statistically significant difference, it was observed that there was an increase in the motivation score averages of the experimental group for "intrinsic goal orientation", the same for "extrinsic goal orientation" and a decrease in "test anxiety". In the qualitative findings obtained from observations and interviews regarding motivation, it was seen that the most emphasis was on being fun and being willing. As a result, it can be said that game-based learning reduces test anxiety by creating fun and enthusiasm in students, and thus increases students' motivation for mathematics. Based on the results obtained, suggestions are included in the thesis. In addition, by conducting studies on game-based teaching practices in mathematics education on a larger sample size and using different data collection tools, methods and techniques, the results obtained can be evaluated in a broader context and more precise judgments can be made.