Didactic games are recognized as a tool that can have a positive impact on the educational process. There is relatively little information on how to create such science didactic games and what to consider when making them. Therefore, a study was conducted that focused on creating quality didactic games for the subject matter of force and motion. The objectives of the master's thesis are the development of quality didactic games, assessing the improvement of students' knowledge after using the games, obtaining opinions from teachers about the games, and obtaining opinions from the students themselves.
The didactic games were evaluated. The research included third-grade students from a selected elementary school, where didactic games were implemented. The study also involved 26 primary school teachers from different Slovenian schools who assessed the quality and usability of the created didactic games. Various methods were used to collect data, including pre-tests, post-tests, observations, diary entries, and questionnaires for both students and teachers.
Key findings include improved students' knowledge through the use of prepared didactic games and the importance of concise and clear task descriptions and instructions. It was found that students were differently engaged in playing, depending on their individual learning abilities, and prior knowledge was a factor in students' confidence and motivation while playing didactic games. Teachers recognized the value of didactic games as a teaching tool, and students were most enthusiastic about conducting experiments related to the subject matter of force and motion. Teachers rated all three didactic games as high-quality and content-appropriate, while students found them interesting and fun. Both groups believed that all three didactic games could be further improved and enhanced.
The purpose of the research is to contribute to a better understanding of the effectiveness of didactic games in teaching the subject matter of force and motion. The objectives, methods, and findings presented provide a comprehensive overview of the research, its context, and its progress.
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