The effectiveness of NEWSGAME as an educational tool in the teaching of current events

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if an educational tool such as NEWSGAME affects students' learning about current events. To determine the effectiveness of this game, an end-of-year post-test was given to the following groups: (1) students that played NEWSGAME regularly; (2) students that played NEWSGAME occasionally; (3) students that never played NEWSGAME. In addition, demographic data such as age and sex was analyzed to determine if differences in knowledge of various current event categories existed among these groups. A survey measuring students' opinion of NEWSGAME was also collected. This study involved the participation of 350 students in 11 social studies classrooms. Of the total sample, there were 183 males and 157 females. Ten cases were not identified. The students ranged in age from 11 to 19 with the majority being 12-15 year-olds. Instrumentation consisted of a Current Events Questionnaire composed of 81 questions covering 14 areas of international, national and state issues. These consisted of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank statements. The data analysis indicated that students who played NEWSGAME regularly scored higher than those who played occasionally. Those who played NEWSGAME occasionally scored higher than those who never played NEWSGAME. Males were found to score higher than females whether NEWSGAME was played regularly or in the occasional/none category. Students over the age of 14 who played regularly scored higher than students under the age of 14. An unusual finding was that students under the age of 14 who played occasionally or not at all scored better than students over age 14 who played occasionally or not at all. Overall, it can be concluded that the NEWSGAME experience was most beneficial for males who were older than 14 who played the game regularly. In response to the question whether students liked or disliked NEWSGAME, 91% indicated they liked this educational tool.