Building an Online Game-Based Learning System for Elementary School

Computer games are widely applied in the field of education. The games can be used for improving learning motivation and effectiveness, especially for the students who encounter difficulties or feel uninteresting in learning. Combined with a quiz database established by nature science specialists, the system uses an online game platform suitable for elementary school students to assist them study nature science. The study will explore the students' achievements in teaching way for natural science. The quasi-experimental method with pre-test and post-test is conducted in two elementary fifth-grade classes. The experimental subjects learn with online game-based learning approach, while the control ones learn with online non-game-based learning approach. Then the researchers examine the differences among demographic characteristics: gender, ability, online game experience, and learning style for each learning approach. The study found that there is no significant difference in these variances. However, students in experimental group have high interest and confidence. There is positive correlation between the number of prompts students used and their achievements. We hope this study can lead teachers in blending information technology with teaching and be a reference for the manufacturers to develop relevant learning systems in the future.

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