The Effectiveness of Using Educational Computer Games on Developing Palestinian Fifth Graders' Achievement in English Language in Gaza Governorate

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of educational computer games on the fifth graders' achievement in English language in Gaza Western Governorates. For answering the questions of the study , the researcher adopted the experimental approach. The sample of the study consisted of (70) male students from Beach Elementary Boys "A" school and (70) female students from Beach Preparatory Girls "G" school inGaza. The educational computer games strategy was used in teaching the experimental group, while the traditional method was used with the control one in the first term of the school year (2011-2012). An achievement test of five scopes with (55) items was designed and validated to be used as a pre and post test. The data of the study were analyzed, usingT-test and One WayANOVA . "Scheffe' Post Test" was used to identify the direction of the effect. An effect size technique was used to measure the effect size of the educational computer games strategy on the experimental group in each scope of the test. The study indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the fifth graders' achievement of English language due to the method in favor of educational computer games strategy. It also showed that there were significant differences in the students' total achievement including all the language skills in favor of the experimental group of both genders. But, the differences which directed in favor of the female experimental group, didn't promote to be a very significant. It should be mentioned that the differences between genders were clear in the mean in favor of the female experimental group. Based on those findings, the study recommended the necessity of implementing an educational computer games strategy in teaching English language to bring about better outcomes in students' achievement of English language. It was suggested also that further research should be conducted on the effect of educational computer games on different dimensions of learning English language and other school subjects.