The effect of game based activities on academic achievements, motivations and attitudes of 6th grade middle school students: Sample of light and sound unit

The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of game-based activities, which are used in light and science units in middle school 6th grade level, on the academic achievements, motivations and attitudes of students. This research was design as quasi-experimental model and it was conducted in two different classrooms in the center of Giresun. These two classrooms were identified by means of an unselected assignment as an experimental and control group. Quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group from experimental research model was supported with qualitative data which is composed from open-ended questions. As a data collection tool in this research; The academic achievement test for the 6th grade Light and Sound unit developed by the researcher, the motivation scale for science learning which was prepared by Tuan, Chin and Shieh (2005) and it was translated to Turkish by Yılmaz and Huyugüzel Çavaş (2007), and attitude scale which was developed by Baykul (1990) was used. SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) package program was used for the academic achievement test for the sub-problems that were searched for in the general purpose of the research, the statistical solutions of the data collected by motivation and attitude scale for science learning. Content analysis was used for the analysis of open-ended questions which have reflect students' views about implementation. Quantitative statements were made into the tables, analyzed by t test whether there was a significant difference between the independent variables. According to the results of the research, it was seen that the students in the experimental group had higher academic achievement, motivation towards science learning and attitudes towards the lesson compared to the scores of the students in the control group. Gender had no effect on success and motivation but their attitudes towards the lesson improved positive attitudes in favor of the female students. Key Words: Game-Based Activity, Science Education, Motivation, Attitude, Academic Achievement