A Study on the Influence of Recreational Activities Intervening in Natural Science Courses on Learning Motivation and Learning Outcomes—The Case of Tabletop Games

Chao-Yen Lin, Hsiao-Hsien Lin (), Kuo-Chiang Ting, Chih-Chien Shen, Chih-Cheng Lo (), Hsiu-Chu Hung and Li-Ju Tsai
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Chao-Yen Lin: School of Physical Education, Jiaying University, Meizhou 514015, China
Hsiao-Hsien Lin: Department of Leisure Industry Management, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung City 411030, Taiwan
Kuo-Chiang Ting: Department and Graduate Institute of Physical, Education, University of Taipei, Taipei City 10048, Taiwan
Chih-Chien Shen: Institute of Physical Education and Health, Yulin Normal University, 1303 Jiaoyu East Rd., Yulin 537000, China
Chih-Cheng Lo: Department of Industrial Education and Technology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua City 500207, Taiwan
Hsiu-Chu Hung: Department of Industrial Education and Technology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua City 500207, Taiwan
Li-Ju Tsai: Department of Industrial Education and Technology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua City 500207, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: This study explored the effects of the integration of tabletop games in natural science and environmental education courses on students’ learning motivation and learning effectiveness. Four tabletop games were designed and integrated in educational programs, and 100 fifth-grade students at an elementary school in Taiwan participated in the study. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups. The former received an instructional program with tabletop games; the latter was the original program. Both groups had received the instructions for the two units of the natural science course for eight weeks. Furthermore, participants’ academic performance results were collected to investigate the effects of tabletop games on their learning effectiveness. This study has shown that integration of tabletop game in the natural science course significantly improved students’ learning attention. While the academic performance of the experimental group improved, the standard deviation decreased. In addition, qualitative data indicated the high acceptability of tabletop games integration in courses. Tabletop games integration in courses might also enhance different learning motivational dimensions. The findings of the integration of tabletop games might be beneficial to educational curriculum-specific pedagogy.

Keywords: educational sustainability; tabletop game; learning motivation; learning effectiveness; environmental education; flipped classroom (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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