This paper reports on systematic literature review that examined learning theories and data collection and analysis methods used to study game-based learning in research on educational digital games for K-12 populations. Through electronic database, hand, and ancestral searches, we identified 25 empirical studies (29 educational games) published…

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the characteristics of playful literacies in case study research examining digital games in secondary English classrooms. It analyzes how educators use play as a resource for meaning-making and the impacts of play on student learning. Design/methodology/approach: The authors used a keyword search in relevant…

There is a growing body of research exploring the application of digital games in Digital Citizenship Education (DCE) to enhance learner engagement within the information society. However, not many studies have systematically reviewed published research on this important topic. To address this gap, the present study systematically reviews…

Body movements are regarded as part of the learning process. With the evolution of motion-sensing technology (MST) (e.g., Kinect, Xtion Pro, and Leap Motion), educational researchers try to explore the effect of MST on learning. However, the effect of MST on learning performance is still unclear. This is the first meta-analysis that aims to…

The objective of this article is to determine which are the international standards and norms of usability that are used in educational technology applied to the teaching of mathematics at secondary and higher education levels, focused on two scenarios: (1) digital educational resources and virtual learning environments (VLEs), and (2) game-based…

Computer programming is regarded as an important skill for the future. However, many K-12 students face challenges and difficulties in learning traditional text-based programming. Block-based visual programming (BVP) can reduce the difficulty of learning programming and is seen as a potential programming education tool. Nevertheless, the effects…

In this article, we conduct a qualitative systematic review of studies examining the use of digital games to promote students' mathematical reasoning in primary and lower secondary schools. Digital games now have a prominent role in students' leisure time, as has mathematical reasoning in curricula around the world. This study investigates how the…

Previous empirical studies on the effect of scaffolding in game-based learning environments have shown inconsistent findings. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the effect of scaffolding in digital game-based learning (DGBL) and to explore a range of moderating factors that may have contributed to the inconsistencies of primary…

Since gamification has strengthened its place in education over the years, it is frequently preferred in English as a Second Language Learning. This study aims to investigate the literature on the effects of gamification on students' English learning as a second language and the tendency of students to use games to learn English as a second…

Game-based learning has proven to be effective and is widely used in science education, but usually the heterogeneity of the student population is being overlooked. To examine the differential effects of game interventions in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related subjects on diverse student groups, a meta-analysis has…

Empirical evidence suggests game-based learning (GBL) as a potentially engaging form of contemporary learning. With the increase in the use of Minecraft, a sandbox computer game in open-world format, there has been a concurrent rise in the level of interest in investigating the role of Minecraft in social and academic learning. Minecraft is…

Exergames (video games that promote cognitive and physical activity simultaneously) benefit executive function (EF) in elderly populations. It has been suggested that exergames may induce larger effects than cognitive or exercise training alone, but few reviews have synthesized the causal factors of exergames on EF from experimental research with…

The application of mathematical skills is essential to our daily routine and is foundational for numerous disciplines. Among various computer-supported learning methods, Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) has been perceived as a promising method in teaching mathematics, promoting students' interest, and motivation. Therefore, the aim of this…

Whether gamification is an organized structure that contributes to student achievement, a simple pontification process or total nonsense is a matter of debate. In such, this study was conducted to provide a scientific answer while exhibiting the gamification effect on student achievement with the meta-analysis method, which is based on…

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) is known to be widely used for improving learning in various fields. Among the elements of DGBL, competition has been very controversial. This meta-analysis, which included 25 articles written between 2008 and 2019, revealed that DGBL has produced improvements for learning outcomes with an overall effect size of…