The effects of game-based learning environments on students' achievement and opinions

This study aims to investigate the effects of game-based learning environments on student achievement. The study was carried out with the students of Atatürk Elementary School in Çatak district of Van. In this context, a questionnaire to ascertain what teachers think about educational computer games has been applied and educational computer games supported by the Ministry of National Education have been evaluated. Our research involves an experimental group and a control group. 26 of them were in the experimental group and the other 23 were in the control group. Finally, we tried to assess the educational computer games inside the Vitamin Education portal which is supported by the Ministry of National Education, according to the criteria of the researcher. As a result of the data analysis, it has been seen that learning environments enriched by educational computer games do not have a significant effect on students' achievement levels. According to the interviews with the students on educational computer games, it has been seen that, students find this application funny; they look positively at the relationship between mathematics and educational computer games. And it has also been stated that games and the current education methods may be more helpful if conducted together. According to the questionnaire it has been understood that students look positively at educational computer games. It has also shown that educational computer games minimize the fears and anxieties of students and make their classroom environment freer and funnier. Teachers also look positively at educational computer games according to the questionnaire applied to them. It was concluded that the assessed educational computer games in the Vitamin Education portal can support learning positively. But it has been put forward that shortcomings of the games should be resolved to improve them. Keywords: Learning, Game-based Learning Environments, Educational Computer Games