The Development of Analytical Thinking Skills through Game-Based Learning on the Topic of the African Continent in Geography for Grade 8 Students at Tedsaban 2 NongBua School

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: (1) to develop analytical thinking skills through game-based learning on the topic of the African continent in Geography for Mathayom Suksa 2 students at Tedsaban 2 NongBua School, and (2) to study the students’ satisfaction toward the use of game-based learning. The participants were 35 Mathayom Suksa 2 students selected by purposive sampling. The research instruments consisted of lesson plans, an analytical thinking skills test, and a satisfaction questionnaire. The statistical methods employed were mean (𝑥̅), standard deviation (S.D.), and a comparison of pre- and post-learning results.
The findings revealed that (1) the students’ analytical thinking scores before the learning had a mean of 7.41 (S.D. = 3.32), while after the learning the mean increased to 12.06 (S.D. = 4.51), clearly indicating that game-based learning effectively enhanced the students’ analytical thinking skills; and (2) the students’ satisfaction toward game-based learning was at the highest level (𝑥̅ = 4.71, S.D. = 0.43), showing that they had positive attitudes and enjoyed the learning experience. The results were consistent with the research hypothesis.