Effects of Gamification on Mathematics Skills Among Preschool Children in Ibadan South-West Local Government
Keywords:
Gamification, Mathematics skills, Preschool education, Preschoolers, Early childhood educationAbstract
This study investigates the impact of gamification on preschool children's mathematics skills in Ibadan metropolis, addressing the gap in understanding how gamified learning affects early mathematical abilities such as counting, sorting, and spatial reasoning. Using a quasi-experimental design with both quantitative and qualitative methods, the research compared the effectiveness of gamified versus conventional teaching approaches with 60 preschool children (30 experimental, 30 control) and 10 teachers. Data were collected through a validated Mathematics Skills Test and teacher interviews. Results showed significant improvements in the experimental group’s skills, while qualitative findings highlighted both benefits and challenges in implementation. The study recommends providing teacher training, resources, and promoting parental involvement to enhance the effectiveness of gamification in early childhood education.
References
Akin, A., "Is Reading Comprehension Associated with Mathematics Skills: A Meta-Analysis Research," International Online Journal of Primary Education, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 123-138, 2022.
Arufe-Giráldez, V., Sanmiguel-Rodríguez, A., Ramos-Álvarez, O., and Navarro-Patón, R., "Gamification in Physical Education: A Systematic Review," Education Sciences, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 251-268, 2022.
Barata, G., Gama, S., Jorge, J., and others, "Gamification for Smarter Learning: Tales from the Trenches," Smart Learning Environments, vol. 2, no. 10, pp. 1–23, 2015.
Cai, D., Zhang, L.-B., Li, Y., Wei, W., and Georgiou, G. K., "The Role of Approximate Number System in Different Mathematics Skills Across Grades," Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 9, pp. 1–13, 2018.
Costello, R., "Socialisation of Gamification," in Research Anthology on Developments in Gamification and Game-Based Learning, S. S. A. K. K. S. Wang, Ed. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2022.
Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R., and others, "From Game Design Elements to Gamefulness: Defining Gamification," in Proceedings of the 15th International Academic MindTrek Conference: Envisioning Future Media Environments, Tampere, Finland, 28–30 Sept. 2011, pp. 9–15.
Eslit, E. R., 21st Century Teaching: Updates, Challenges, and Best Practices, St. Michael's College, Iligan City, Philippines, 2023.
Gilligan, K., Thomas, M., and Farran, E., "First Demonstration of Effective Spatial Training for Near Transfer to Spatial Performance and Far Transfer to a Range of Mathematics Skills at 8 Years," Developmental Science, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 99–115, 2019.
Hamari, J., Koivisto, J., and Sarsa, H., "Does Gamification Work? – A Literature Review of Empirical Studies on Gamification," in Proceedings of the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2014, pp. 3025–3034.
Hickey, A., and Flynn, R., "Effects of the TutorBright Tutoring Programme on the Reading and Mathematics Skills of Children in Foster Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial," Oxford Review of Education, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 519–537, 2019.
Huang, R., Ritzhaupt, A. D., Sommer, M., Zhu, J., Stephen, A., Valle, N., Hampton, J., and Li, J., "The Impact of Gamification in Educational Settings on Student Learning Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis," Educational Technology Research and Development, vol. 68, no. 6, pp. 1875–1901, 2020.
Hwang, G. L., Yin, C., and Chun Chu, H., "The Era of Flipped Learning: Promoting Active Learning and Higher Order Thinking with Innovative Flipped Learning Strategies and Supporting Systems," Interactive Learning Environments, vol. 27, no. 8, pp. 991–994, 2019.
Jarrah, A. M., and Diab, K. M. A. B. M., "The Effect of Flipped Classroom Model on Students’ Achievement in the New 2016 Scholastic Assessment Test Mathematics Skills," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 204–210, 2019.
Kalogiannakis, M., Papadakis, S., and Zourmpakis, A.-I., "Gamification in Science Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Education Sciences, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 203–218, 2021.
Kamalodeen, V., Ramsawak-Jodha, N., Figaro-Henry, S., Jaggernauth, S., and Dedovets, Z., "Designing Gamification for Geometry in Elementary Schools: Insights from the Designers," Smart Learning Environments, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–16, 2021.
Kapp, K. M., The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-Based Methods and Strategies for Training and Education. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer, 2012.
Karpicke, J. D., and Grimaldi, P. J., "Retrieval-Based Learning: A Perspective for Enhancing Meaningful Learning," Educational Psychology Review, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 401–418, 2012.
Kim, H., Duran, C. A. K., Cameron, C. E., and Grissmer, D., "Developmental Relations Among Motor and Cognitive Processes and Mathematics Skills," Child Development, vol. 89, no. 2, pp. 476–494, 2018.
Kulikovskaya, I., and Guryeva, M., "Exam Game as Part of Gamification of Bachelor’s Course in Preschool Education," The World of Academia: Culture, Education, vol. 9, pp. 67–80, 2023.
Lyu, X., "A Brief Analysis on the Development Direction of Dancing Teaching Gamification in Preschool Education," Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, vol. 539, pp. 108–112, 2022.
Onesi-Ozigagun, O., Ololade, Y. J., Eyo-Udo, N. L., and Ogundipe, D. O., "Revolutionizing Education Through AI: A Comprehensive Review of Enhancing Learning Experiences," International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 34–50, 2024.
Petrusly, P., Kollo, F. L., Bani, M. D. S., Mahfud, T., and Zulkarnain, Z., "The Effect of Gamification Using Kahoot on Students’ Critical Thinking Abilities: The Role of Mediating Learning Engagement and Motivation," Journal of Educational Technology and Innovation, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 95–110, 2024.
Plass, J. L., Homer, B. D., and Kinzer, C. K., "Foundations of Game-Based Learning," Educational Psychologist, vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 258–283, 2015.
Purpura, D. J., Logan, J. A. R., Hassinger-Das, B., and Napoli, A. R., "Why Do Early Mathematics Skills Predict Later Reading? The Role of Mathematical Language," Developmental Psychology, vol. 53, no. 8, pp. 1633–1642, 2017.
Rivera, E., and Garden, C., "Gamification for Student Engagement: A Framework," Journal of Further and Higher Education, vol. 45, no. 7, pp. 999–1012, 2021.
Rogelj, B., Planinc, T. R., Repe, B., and Klun, M. I., "Education for Sustainable Mobility in Slovenia: Using Gamification to Influence the Travel Habits of Children," European Journal of Geography, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 234–248, 2024.
Strategies for Training and Education, Wiley, 2020.
Wulan, D. R., Nainggolan, D. M., Hidayat, Y., Rohman, T., and Fiyul, A. Y., "Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Gamification in Enhancing Student Learning Outcomes," Global International Journal of Innovative Research, vol. 2, no. 7, pp. 1658–1673, 2024.
Yamani, H., "A Conceptual Framework for Integrating Gamification in eLearning Systems Based on Instructional Design Model," International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 45–56, 2021.
Zainuddin, Z., Chu, S., Shujahat, M., and Perera, C. J., "The Impact of Gamification on Learning and Instruction: A Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence," Educational Research and Reviews, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 236–251, 2020.
