This dissertation follows a manuscript-style format, beginning with an introduction and literature review, followed by three distinct studies and a concluding section. All three studies use "Lucky Codes," an educational board game designed to foster computational thinking skills in elementary students, as the intervention. The first…

Educational digital escape games (EDEGs) are digital versions of escape rooms where players solve puzzles and complete challenges to achieve educational goals. This study investigates the effects of EDEGs on the academic achievement and motivation of elementary school students in mathematics. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, 45…

This article discusses how the authors' 'Science Hunters' suite of projects uses the computer game Minecraft to engage children, particularly those from underrepresented groups, with STEM. Delivered by environmental scientists, Science Hunters projects link to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through offering inclusive…

Gamification refers to the attempt to transform different kinds of systems to be able to better invoke positive experiences such as the flow state. However, the ability of such intervention to invoke flow state is commonly believed to depend on several moderating factors including the user's traits. Currently, there is a dearth of research on the…

Computational thinking (CT) has become an important skill for the new generation, and CT teaching games have been introduced to lower the barriers that novices face in learning programming. However, despite the prevalence of and demand for these games, little is known about the effectiveness of their design or about the principles that are…

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of digital game-based learning (DGBL) on elementary-school students' Chinese language learning, self-efficacy and attention. In total, 126 fourth-graders participated in the study for 6 weeks. Two digital games with different mechanisms (completion-contingent and performance-contingent rewards)…

The concept of gamification has spread widely in recent years supported by the development of technology, especially due to the plethora of computers and video games and game apps for other devices. Gamification is the use of game thinking and game mechanics in non-game contexts that support play to engage users in solving problems or created for…

Low mathematics scores in the U.S. have been pressing educators to find engaging strategies and effective tools to promote math performance. While emerging technologies, such as digital math games, show promises in improving mathematical education, existing studies have garnered mixed findings and thereby necessitating further investigation. This…

Recently, virtual reality seems to be deevloping rapidly. However, it can be said that virtual reality is in the early days of adoption for education. Studies show that using virtual reality in education can positively affect students' learning experiences. In this study, the effect of an educational virtual reality game, named "Kesfet…

This dissertation studied the effects of Teacher Directed Games (TDGs) on student vocabulary development and student engagement in a second language. Achieving automaticity with vocabulary is crucial to mastering a second language. A sample of 40 first grade students in a Jewish Day School participated in the study. Students learned their…

A within-participant withdrawal design was used to examine the effects of a positive version of the Good Behavior Game (GBG) for three students in an elementary special education classroom for students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD). Results indicated immediate improvements in disruptive behavior and academic engagement for all three…

The use of learning games within the classroom is becoming increasingly common because of their potential to positively impact learning. Recent developments in adaptivity offer further possibilities to personalise learning by tailoring the game to an individual child's level or particular learning needs. However, designing an adaptive learning…

Educational games have been increasingly used to improve students' computational thinking. However, most existing games have focused on the theoretical knowledge of computational thinking, ignoring the development of computational thinking skills. Moreover, there is a lack of integration of adaptivity into educational computer games for…

A game-based approach is widely used to increase students' motivation through their active participation, whereby research is interwoven with fun and competition is incorporated with cooperation. Working in teams or groups encourages students to exchange their opinions, to try to find solutions together or to win a game. In this way, they learn…

Game-based learning in science education is an effective method to enhance students' motivation, active participation, and conceptual understanding of the scientific knowledge. This study aimed to encourage teachers to develop and use game-based activities related to the concepts of light and sound and to present students' views about the games…