IMPROVING AND MOTIVATING THE SCHOLAR LEARNING THROUGH EDUCATIONAL GAMES

The efficiency of educational games for improving student learning and interest in classes were evaluated by using an experimental approach. Students from the primary level of education (n=72) were submitted to one of the three types of classes (experimental treatments): (i) a traditional class, (ii) a traditional class followed by the use of educational game; (iii) educational game only. The students submitted to the traditional class followed by the use of educational game presented a higher learning gain compared with other treatments (p<0.04). Furthermore, there was no difference in the learning gain between students from the other treatments (p=0.77). An evaluation of the perception of the students regarding the educational game revealed that 82% of them found the class more attractive and motivating when the educational game was used. The results highlight that, when combined with traditional methodologies, the recreational techniques can produce more satisfactory learning results.